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LAST^ygMOHICANS 


A  NARRATIVE  OF  \T57 


^  JAMES  FENIMORE  COOPER 

Jllustrared  hi/    R  C.  WYETH 


"Mislike  me  not  for  my  complexion, 
The  shadowed  livery  of  the  'burnished  sun.'' 


NEW  YORK 
CHARLES  SCRIBNERS  SONS 

1919 

Copyright  1010   by  Charles  Scribner's  Sons 


'1C 


MOHICANS 


A  NARRATIVE  OF 


©  c.  s  s. 


JAMES  FEN  [MORE  COOPER 

Illustrated  In      N.  C.  WYETH 


"Mislike  me  not  for  my  complexion, 
The  shadou'ed  liver v  of  the  burnished  sun 


YORK 
CHARLES  SCRIBNERS  SONS 

1    9    i    9 


1  7 


M 


In  compliance  with  current  copyright  law, 
Library  Bindery  produced  this  replacement  volume  on 
paper  that  meets  the  ANSI  Standard  Z39. 48-1 984  to  replace 
the  irreparably  deteriorated  original. 


1995 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


iNG  PAGE 


UNCAS  SLAYS  A  DEER    ....  26 

Avoidiug  the  horns  of  the  infuriated  animal,  Uncas  darted  to 
his  side,  and  passed  his  knife  across  the  throat 

THE  BATTLE  AT  GLENS  FALLS     ...........  66 

Each  of  the  combatants  threw  all  his  energies  into  that  effort, 
and  the  result  was,  that  both  tottered  on  the  brink  of  the 
precipice 

CAPTIVES    ...........................       94 

When  the  pilot  chosen  for  the  task  of  guiding  the  canoe  had 
taken  his  station,  the  whole  band  plunged  again  into  the 
river,  the  vessel  glided  down  the  current  and  in  a  few 
moments  the  captives  found  themselves  on  the  south  bauk  of 
the  stream 

THE  FIGHT  IN  THE  FOREST  ............  114 

The  battle  was  now  entirely  terminated,  with  the  exception 
of  the  protracted  struggle  between  Le  Rcnard  Subtil  and  Lc 
Gros  Serpent 

DAVID  GAMUT  ............... 

Never  minstrel,  or  by  whatever  more  suitable  name  David 
should  be  known,  drew  upon  his  talents  in  the  presence  of 
more  insensible  auditors 

THE  MEETING  OF  THE  GENERALS   ...........  166 

As  soon  as  this  slight  salutation  had  passed,  Montcalm  moved 
towards  them  with  a  quick  but  graceful  step,  baring  his  head 
to  the  veteran,  and  dropping  his  spotless  plume  nearly  to  the 
earth  in  courtesy 

MAGUA  CAPTURES  ALICE  ........ 

He  hesitated  a  moment;  and  then  catching  the  light  and 
senseless  form  of  Alice  in  his  arms,  the  subtle  Indian  moved 
swiftly  across  the  plain  toward  the  woods 


vi  ILLUSTRATIONS 

THE  FLIGHT  ACROSS  THE  LAKE 214 

The  scout  having  ascertained  that  the  Mohicans  were 
sufficient  of  themselves  to  maintain  the  requisite  distance, 
deliberately  laid  aside  his  paddle,  and  raised  the  fatal  rifle 

IN  THE  COUNCIL  LODGE 244 

A  flaring  torch  was  burning  in  the  place,  and  sent  its  red 
glare  from  face  to  face  and  figure  to  figure,  as  it  waved  in  the 
currents  of  air 

THE  TERMAGANT      250 

Throwing  back  her  light  vestment,  she  stretched  forth  her 
long  skinny  arm,  iu  derision 

THE  MASQUERADER 268 

The  grim  head  fell  on  one  side,  and  in  its  place  appeared  the 
honest,  sturdy  countenance  of  the  scout 

THE  LOVERS 278 

Heyward  and  Alice  took  their  way  together  towards  the 
distant  village  of  the  Delawares 

THE  SUPPLICANT ...     320 

Cora  had  cast  herself  to  her  knees;  and,  with  hands  clenched 
in  each  other  and  pressed  upon  her  bosom,  she  remained  like  a 
beauteous  and  breathing  model  of  her  sex 

THE  BURIAL  OF  UNCAS 368 

"The  boy  has  left  us  for  a  time;  but,  Sagamore,  you  are  not 
alone" 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS 


THE   LAST  OF  THE   MOHICANS 


CHAPTER    I 

"Mine  car  is  open,  and  my  heart  prepared: 
The  worst  is  worldly  loss  thou  canst  unfold: 
SUV,  is  my  kingdom  lost?" 

SHAKESPEARE. 

IT  was  a  feature  peculiar  to  the  colonial  wars  of  North  America, 
that  the  toils  and  dangers  o'f  the  wilderness  were  to  be  encount 
ered  before  the  adverse  hosts  could  meet.  A  wide  and  apparently 
an  impervious  boundary  of  forests  severed  the  possessions  of  the 
hostile  provinces  of  France  and  England.  The  hardy  colonist, 
and  the  trained  European  who  fought  at  his  side,  frequently  ex 
pended  months  in  struggling  against  the  rapids  of  the  streams, 
or  in  effecting  the  rugged  passes  of  the  mountains,  in  quest  of 
an  opportunity  to  exhibit  their  courage  in  a  more  martial  con 
flict.  But,  emulating  the  patience  and  self-denial  of  the  practised 
native  warriors,  they  learned  to  overcome  every  difficulty ;  and  it 
would  seem  that,  in  time,  there  was  no  recess  of  the  woods  so 
dark,  nor  any  secret  place  so  lovely,  that  it  might  claim  exemp 
tion  from  the  inroads  of  those  who  had  pledged  their  blood  to 
satiate  their  vengeance,  or  to  uphold  the  cold  and  selfish  policy 
of  the  distant  monarchs  of  Europe. 

Perhaps  no  district  throughout  the  wide  extent  of  the  inter 
mediate  frontiers  can  furnish  a  livelier  picture  of  the  cruelty  and 
fierceness  of  the  savage  warfare  of  those  periods  than  the  country 
which  lies  between  the  head  waters  of  the  Hudson  and  the  adja 
cent  lakes. 

The  facilities  which  nature  had  there  offered  to  the  march  of 
the  combatants  were  too  obvious  to  be  neglected.  The  length 
ened  sheet  of  the  Champlain  stretched  from  the  frontiers  of 
Canada,  deep  within  the  borders  of  the  neighboring  province  of 
New  York,  forming  a  natural  passage  across  half  the  distance 
that  the  French  were  compelled  to  master  in  order  to  strike  their 
enemies.  Near  its  southern  termination,  it  received  the  contribu- 


2  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

tions  of  another  lake,  whose  waters  were  so  limpid  as  to  have 
been  exclusively  selected  by  the  Jesuit  missionaries  to  perform 
the  typical  purification  of  baptism,  and  to  obtain  for  it  the  title 
of  lake  "du  Saint  Sacrement."  The  less  zealous  English  thought 
they  conferred  a  sufficient  honor  on  its  unsullied  fountains,  when 
they  bestowed  the  name  of  their  reigning  prince,  the  second  of 
the  house  of  Hanover.  The  two  united  to  rob  the  untutored  pos 
sessors  of  its  wooded  scenery  of  their  native  right  to  perpetuate 
its  original  appellation  of  "Horican."  J 

Winding  its  way  among  countless  islands,  and  imbedded  in 
mountains,  the  "holy  lake"  extended  a  dozen  leagues  still  farther 
to  the  south.  With  the  high  plain  that  there  interposed  itself 
to  the  further  passage  of  the  water,  commenced  a  portage  of 
as  many  miles,  which  conducted  the  adventurer  to  the  banks 
of  the  Hudson,  at  a  point  where,  with  the  usual  obstructions 
of  the  rapids,  or  rifts,  as  they  were  then  termed  in  the  lan 
guage  of  the  country,  the  river  became  navigable  to  the  tide. 

While,  in  the  pursuit  of  their  daring  plans  of  annoyance,  the 
restless  enterprise  of  the  French  even  attempted  the  distant  and 
difficult  gorges  of  the  Alleghany,  it  may  easily  be  imagined  that 
their  proverbial  acuteness  would  not  overlook  the  natural  ad 
vantages  of  the  district  we  have  just  described.  It  became,  em 
phatically,  the  bloody  arena,  in  which  most  of  the  battles  for  the 
mastery  of  the  colonies  were  contested.  Forts  were  erected  at 
the  different  points  that  commanded  the  facilities  of  the  route, 
and  were  taken  and  retaken,  razed  and  rebuilt,  as  victory 
alighted  on  the  hostile  banners.  While  the  husbandman  shrank 
back  from  the  dangerous  passes,  within  the  safer  boundaries  of 
the  more  ancient  settlements,  armies  larger  than  those  that  had 
often  disposed  of  the  sceptres  of  the  mother  countries,  were  seen 
to  bury  themselves  in  these  forests,  whence  they  rarely  returned 
but  in  skeleton  bands,  that  were  haggard  with  care,  or  dejected 
by  defeat.  Though  the  arts  of  peace  were  unknown  to  this  fatal 
region,  its  forests  were  alive  with  men;  its  shades  and  glens  rang 
with  the  sounds  of  martial  music,  and  the  echoes  of  its  mountains 
threw  back  the  laugh,  or  repeated  the  wanton  cry,  of  many  a 

i  As  eacli  nation  of  the  Indians  had  either  its  language  or  its  dialect,  they  usually 
gave  different  names  to  the  same  places,  though  nearly  all  of  their  appellations  were 
descriptive  of  the  object.  Thus,  a  literal  translation  of  'the  name  of  this  beautiful  sheet 
of  water,  used  by  the  tribe  that  dwelt  on  its  banks  would  be  "The  Tail  of  the  Lake." 
Lake  George,  as  it  is  vulgarly,  and  now  indeed  legally  called,  forms  a  sort  of  tail  to 
Lake  Champlain,  when  viewed  on  the  map.  Hence  the  name. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  3 

gallant  and  reckless  youth,  as  he  hurried  by  them,  in  the  noontide 
of  his  spirits,  to  slumber  in  a  long  night  of  forgetfulness. 

It  was  in  this  scene  of  strife  and  bloodshed  that  the  incidents 
we  shall  attempt  to  relate  occurred,  during  the  third  year  of  the 
war  which  England  and  France  last  waged  for  the  possession  of 
a  country  that  neither  was  destined  to  retain. 

The  imbecility  of  her  military  leaders  abroad,  and  the  fatal 
want  of  energy  in  her  councils  at  home,  had  lowered  the  character 
of  Great  Britain  from  the  proud  elevation  on  which  it  had  been 
placed,  by  the  talents  and  enterprise  of  her  former  warriors  and 
statesmen.  No  longer  dreaded  by  her  enemies,  her  servants  were 
fast  losing  the  confidence  of  self-respect.  In  this  mortifying 
abasement,  the  colonists,  though  innocent  of  her  imbecility,  and 
too  humble  to  be  the  agents  of  her  blunders,  were  but  the  natural 
participators. 

The}'  had  recently  seen  a  chosen  army  from  that  country, 
which,  reverencing  as  a  mother,  they  had  blindly  believed  in 
vincible — an  army  led  by  a  chief  who  had  been  selected  from  a 
crowd  of  trained  warriors,  for  his  rare  military  endowments,  dis 
gracefully  routed  by  a  handful  of  French  and  Indians,  and  only 
saved  from  annihilation  by  the  coolness  and  spirit  of  a  Virginian 
boy,  whose  riper  fame  has  since  diffused  itself,  with  the  steady 
influence  of  moral  truth,  to  the  uttermost  confines  of  Christen 
dom.1  A  wide  frontier  had  been  laid  naked  by  this  unexpected 
disaster,  and  more  substantial  evils  were  preceded  by  a  thousand 
fanciful  and  imaginary  dangers.  The  alarmed  colonists  believed 
that  the  yells  of  the  savages  mingled  with  every  fitful  gust  of 
wind  that  issued  from  the  interminable  forests  of  the  west.  The 
terrific  character  of  their  merciless  enemies  increased  immeasur 
ably  the  natural  horrors  of  warfare.  Numberless  recent  mas 
sacres  were  still  vivid  in  their  recollections;  nor  was  there  any 
ear  in  the  provinces  so  deaf  as  not  to  have  drunk  in  with  avidity 
the  narrative  of  some  fearful  tale  of  midnight  murder,  in  which 
the  natives  of  the  forests  were  the  principal  and  barbarous  actors. 
As  the  credulous  and  excited  traveller  related  the  hazardous 

i Washington:  who,  after  uselessly  admonishing  the  European  general  of  the  danger 
into  which  he  was  heedlessly  running,  saved  tlie  remnants  of  the  British  army,  on  this 
occasion,  by  his  decisTon  and  courage.  The  reputation  earned  by  Washington  in  this 
battle  was  the  principal  cause  of  his  being  selected  to  command  the  American  armies 
at  a  later  day.  It  is  a  circumstance  worthy  of  observation,  that,  while  all  America  rang 
with  his  well-merited  reputation,  his  name  does  not  occur  in  any  European  account  of 
the  battle;  at  least,  the  author  bus  searched  for  it  without  success.  In  this  manner  does 
the  mother  country  absorb  even  the  fame,  under  that  system  of  rule. 


4  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

chances  of  the  wilderness,  the  blood  of  the  timid  curdled  with 
terror,  and  mothers  cast  anxious  glances  even  at  those  children 
which  slumbered  within  the  security  of  the  largest  towns.  In 
short,  the  magnifying  influence  of  fear  began  to  set  at  naught 
the  calculations  of  reason,  and  to  render  those  who  should  have 
remembered  their  manhood,  the  slaves  of  the  basest  of  passions. 
Even  the  most  confident  and  the  stoutest  hearts  began  to  think 
the  issue  of  the  contest  was  becoming  doubtful;  and  that  abject 
class  was  hourly  increasing  in  numbers,  who  thought  they  fore 
saw  all  the  possessions  of  the  English  crown  in  America  subdued 
by  their  Christian  foes,  or  laid  waste  by  the  inroads  of  their  re 
lentless  allies. 

When,  therefore,  intelligence  was  received  at  the  fort,  which 
covered  the  southern  termination  of  the  portage  between  the 
Hudson  and  the  lakes,  that  Montcalm  had  been  seen  moving  up 
the  Champlain,  with  an  army  "numerous  as  the  leaves  on  the 
trees,"  its  truth  was  admitted  with  more  of  the  craven  reluctance 
of  fear  than  with  the  stern  joy  that  a  warrior  should  feel,  in 
finding  an  enemy  within  reach  of  his  blow.  The  news  had  been 
brought,  towards  the  decline  of  a  day  in  midsummer,  by  an  In 
dian  runner,  who  also  bore  an  urgent  request  from  Munro,  the 
commander  of  a  work  on  the  shore  of  the  "holy  lake,"  for  a 
speedy  and  powerful  reinforcement.  It  has  already  been  men 
tioned  that  the  distance  between  these  two  posts  was  less  than  five 
leagues.  The  rude  path,  which  originally  formed  their  line  of 
communication,  had  been  widened  for  the  passage  of  wagons; 
so  that  the  distance  which  had  been  travelled  by  the  son  of  the 
forest  in  two  hours,  might  easily  be  effected  by  a  detachment 
of  troops,  with  their  necessary  baggage,  between  the  rising  and 
setting  of  a  summer  sun.  The  loyal  servants  of  the  British  crown 
had  given  to  one  of  these  forest  fastnesses  the  name  of  William 
Henry,  and  to  the  other  that  of  Fort  Edward ;  calling  each  after 
a  favorite  prince  of  the  reigning  family.  The  veteran  Scotchman 
just  named  held  the  first,  with  a  regiment  of  regulars  and  a  few 
provincials ;  a  force  really  by  far  ,too  small  to  make  head  against 
the  formidable  power  that  Montcalm  was  leading  to  the  foot  of 
his  earthen  mounds.  At  the  latter,  however,  lay  General  Webb, 
who  commanded  the  armies  of  the  king  in  the  northern  provinces, 
with  a  body  of  more  than  five  thousand  men.  By  uniting  the 
several  detachments  of  his  command,  this  officer  might  have 
arrayed  nearly  double  that  number  of  combatants  against  the 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  5 

enterprising  Frenchman,  who  had  ventured  so  far  from  his  rein 
forcements,  with  an  army  but  little  superior  in  numbers. 

But  under  the  influence  of  their  degraded  fortunes,  both  offi 
cers  and  men  appeared  better  disposed  to  await  the  approach  of 
their  formidable  antagonists,  within  their  works,  than  to  resist 
the  progress  of  their  march,  by  emulating  the  successful  example 
of  the  French  at  Fort  du  Quesne,  and  striking  a  blow  on  their 
advance. 

After  the  first  surprise  of  the  intelligence  had  a  little  abated, 
a  rumor  was  spread  through  the  entrenched  camp,  which 
stretched  along  the  margin  of  the  Hudson,  forming  a  chain  of 
outworks  to  the  body  of  the  fort  itself,  that  a  chosen  detachment 
of  fifteen  hundred  men  was  to  depart,  with  the  dawn,  for  William 
Henry,  the  post  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  portage.  That 
which  at  first  was  only  rumor,  soon  became  certainty,  as  orders 
passed  from  the  quarters  of  the  commander-in-chief  to  the  sev 
eral  corps  he  had  selected  for  this  service,  to  prepare  for  their 
speedy  departure.  All  doubt  as  to  the  intention  of  Webb  now 
vanished,  and  an  hour  or  two  of  hurried  footsteps  and  anxious 
faces  succeeded.  The  novice  in  the  military  art  flew  from  point 
to  point,  retarding  his  own  preparations  by  the  excess  of  his 
violent  and  somewhat  distempered  zeal;  while  the  more  practised 
veteran  made  his  arrangements  with  a  deliberation  that  scorned 
every  appearance  of  haste;  though  his  sober  lineaments  and 
anxious  eye  sufficiently  betrayed  that  he  had  no  very  strong  pro 
fessional  relish  for  the  as  yet  untried  and  dreaded  warfare  of 
the  wilderness.  At  length  the  sun  set  in  a  flood  of  glory,  behind 
the  distant  western  hills,  and  as  darkness  drew  its  veil  around 
the  secluded  spot  the  sounds  of  preparation  diminished;  the  last 
light  finally  disappeared  from  the  log  cabin  of  some  officer;  the 
trees  cast  their  deeper  shadows  over  the  mounds  and  the  rippling 
stream,  and  a  silence  soon  pervaded  the  camp,  as  deep  as  that 
which  reigned  in  the  vast  forest  by  which  it  was  environed. 

According  to  the  orders  of  the  preceding  night,  the  heavy 
sleep  of  the  army  was  broken  by  the  rolling  of  the  warning 
drums,  whose  rattling  echoes  were  heard  issuing,  on  the  damp 
morning  air,  out  of  every  vista  of  the  woods,  just  as  day  began 
to  draw  the  shaggy  outlines  of  some  tall  pines  of  the  vicinity,  on 
the  opening  brightness  of  a  soft  and  cloudless  eastern  sky.  In 
an  instant  the  whole  camp  was  in  motion;  the  meanest  soldier 
arousing  from  his  lair  to  witness  the  departure  of  his  comrades, 


6  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

and  to  share  in  the  excitement  and  incidents  of  the  hour.  The 
simple  array  of  the  chosen  band  was  soon  completed.  While  the 
regular  and  trained  hirelings  of  the  king  marched  with  haughti 
ness  to  the  right  of  the  line,  the  less  pretending  colonists  took 
their  humbler  position  on  its  left,  with  a  docility  that  long  prac 
tice  had  rendered  easy.  The  scouts  departed;  strong  guards 
preceded  and  followed  the  lumbering  vehicles  that  bore  the  bag 
gage;  and  before  the  gray  light  of  the  morning  was  mellowed  by 
the  rays  of  the  sun,  the  main  body  of  the  combatants  wheeled 
into  column,  and  left  the  encampment  with  a  show  of  high  mili 
tary  bearing,  that  served  to  drown  the  slumbering  apprehensions 
of  many  a  novice,  who  was  now  about  to  make  his  first  essay  in 
arms.  While  in  view  of  their  admiring  comrades,  the  same  proud 
front  and  ordered  array  was  observed,  until  the  notes  of  their 
fifes  growing  fainter  in  distance,  the  forest  at  length  appeared 
to  swallow  up  the  living  mass  which  had  slowly  entered  its  bosom. 

The  deepest  sounds  of  the  retiring  and  invisible  column  had 
ceased  to  be  borne  on  the  breeze  to  the  listeners,  and  the  latest 
straggler  had  already  disappeared  in  pursuit;  but  there  still  re 
mained  the  signs  of  another  departure,  before  a  log  cabin  of 
unusual  size  and  accommodations,  in  front  of  which  those  senti 
nels  paced  their  rounds,  who  were  known  to  guard  the  person  of 
the  English,  ereneral.  At  this  spot  were  gathered  some  half  dozen 
horses,  caparisoned  in  a  manner  which  showed  that  two,  at  least, 
were  destined  to  bear  the  persons  of  females,  of  a  rank  that  it 
was  not  usual  to  meet  so  far  in  the  wilds  of  the  country.  A  third 
wore  the  trappings  and  arms  af  aa  officer  of  the  staff;  while  the 
rest,  from  the  plainness  of  the  Housings,  and  the  travelling  mails 
with  which  they  were  encumbered,  were  evidently  fitted  for  the 
reception  of  as  many  menials,  who  were,  seemingly,  already  await 
ing  the  pleasure  of  those  they  served.  At  a  respectful  distance 
from  this  unusual  show  were  gathered  divers  groups  of  curious 
idlers;  some  admiring  the  blood  and  bone  of  the  high-mettled 
military  charger,  and  others  gazing  at  the  preparations,  with  dull 
wonder  of  vulgar  curiosity.  There  was  one  man,  however,  who, 
by  his  countenance  and  actions,  formed  a  marked  exception  to 
those  who  composed  the  latter  class  of  spectators,  being  neither 
idle,  nor  seemingly  very  ignorant. 

The  person  of  this  individual  was  to  the  last  degree  ungainly, 
without  being  in  any  particular  manner  deformed.  He  had  all  the 
bones  and  joints  of  other  men,  without  any  of  their  proportions. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  7 

Erect,  his  stature  surpassed  that  of  his  fellows;  seated,  he  ap 
peared  reduced  within  the  ordinary  limits  of  the  race.  The  same 
contrariety  in  his  members  seemed  to  exist  throughout  the  whole", 
man.  His  head  was  large;  his  shoulders  narrow;  his  arms  long 
and  dangling;  while  his  hands  were  small,  if  not  delicate.  Hisx 
legs  and  thighs  were  thin,  nearly  to  emaciation,  but  of  extraordi 
nary  length;  and  his  knees  would  have  been  considered  tremen 
dous,  had  they  not  been  outdone  by  the  broader  foundations  on 
which  this  false  superstructure  of  the  blended  human  orders  was 
so  profanely  reared.  The  ill-assorted  and  injudicious  attire  of 
the  individual  only  served  to  render  his  awkwardness  more  con 
spicuous.  A  sjsy-bhip  coat,  with  short  and  broad  skirts  and  low 
cape,  exposed  a  long  thin  neck,  and  longer  and  thinner  legs,  to 
the  worst  animadversions  of  the  evil  disposed.  His  nether  gar 
ment  was  of  yellow  nankeen,  closely  fitted  to  the  shape,  and  tied 
at  his  bunches  of  knees  by  large  knots  of  white  ribbon,  a  good 
deal  sullied  by  use.  Clouded  cotton  stockings,  and  shoes,  on  one 
of  the  latter  of  which  was  a  plated  spur,  completed  the  costume 
of  the  lower  extremity  of  this  figure,  no  curve  or  angle  of  which 
was  concealed,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  studiously  exhibited, 
through  the  vanity  or  simplicity  of  its  owner.  From  beneath  the 
flap  of  an  enormous  pocket  of  a  soiled  vest  of  embossed  silk, 
heavily  ornamented  with  tarnished  silver  lace,  projected  an  in 
strument,  which,  from  being  seen  in  such  martial  company,  might 
have  been  easily  mistaken  for  some  mischievous  and  unknown 
implement  of  war.  Small  as  it  was,  this  uncommon  engine  had 
excited  the  curiosity  of  most  of  the  Europeans  in  the  camp, 
though  several  of  the  provincials  were  seen  to  handle  it,  not  only 
without  fear,  but  with  the  utmost  familiarity.  A  large,  civil 
cocked  hat,  like  those  worn  by  clergymen  within  the  last  thirty 
years,  surmounted  the  whole,  furnishing  dignity  to  a  good-na 
tured  and  somewhat  vacant  countenance,  that  apparently  needed 
such  artificial  aid,  to  support  the  gravity  of  some  high  and 
extraordinary  trust. 

While  the  common  herd  stood  aloof,  in  deference  to  the  quar 
ters  of  Webb,  the  figure  we  have  described  stalked  into  the  centre 
of  the  domestics,  freely  expressing  his  censures  or  commenda 
tions  on  the  merits  of  the  horses,  as  by  chance  they  displeased  or 
satisfied  his  judgment. 

"This  beast,  I  rather  conclude,  friend,  is  not  of  home  raising, 
but  is  from  foreign  lands,  or  perhaps  from  the  little  island  itself 


8  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

over  the  blue  water?"  he  said,  in  a  voice  as  remarkable  for  the 
softness  and  sweetness  of  its  tones,  as  was  his  person  for  its  rare 
proportions:  "I  may  speak  of  these  things,  and  be  no  braggart; 
for  I  have  been  down  at  both  havens;  that  which  is  situate  at  the 
mouth  of  Thames,  and  is  named  after  the  capital  of  Old  Eng 
land,  and  that  which  is  called  'Haven,'  with  the  addition  of  the 
word  'New';  and  have  seen  the  snows  and  brigantines  collecting 
their  droves,  like  the  gathering  to  the  ark,  being  outward  bound 
to  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  for  the  purpose  of  barter  and  traffic  in 
four-footed  animals ;  but  never  before  have  I  beheld  a  beast  which 
verified  the  true  Scripture  war-horse  like  this:  'He  paweth  in 
the  valley,  and  rejoiceth  in  his  strength:  he  goeth  on  to  meet  the 
armed  men.  He  saith  among  the  trumpets,  Ha,  ha;  and  he 
smelleth  the  battle  afar  off,  the  thunder  of  the  captains,  and  the 
shouting.'  It  would  seem  that  the  stock  of  the  horse  of  Israel 
has  descended  to  our  own  time;  would  it  not,  friend?" 

Receiving  no  reply  to  this  extraordinary  appeal,  which  in 
truth,  as  it  was  delivered  with  the  vigor  of  full  and  sonorous 
tones,  merited  some  sort  of  notice,  he  who  had  thus  sung  forth 
the  language  of  the  Holy  Book  turned  to  the  silent  figure  to 
whom  he  had  unwittingly  addressed  himself,  and  found  a  new 
and  more  powerful  subject  of  admiration  in  the  object  that  en 
countered  his  gaze.  His  eyes  fell  on  the  still,  upright,  and  rigid 
form  of  the  "Indian  runner,"  who  had  borne  to  the  camp  the 
unwelcome  tidings  of  the  preceding  evening.  Although  in  a 
state  of  perfect  repose,  and  apparently  disregarding,  with  char 
acteristic  stoicism,  the  excitement  and  bustle  around  him,  there 
was  a  sullen  fierceness  mingled  with  the  quiet  of  the  savage,  that 
was  likely  to  arrest  the  attention  of  much  more  experienced  eyes 
than  those  which  now  scanned  him,  in  unconcealed  amazement. 
The  native  bore  both  the  tomahawk  and  knife  of  his  tribe;  and 
yet  his  appearance  was  not  altogether  that  of  a  warrior.  On  the 
contrary,  there  was  an  air  of  neglect  about  his  person,  like  that 
which  might  have  proceeded  from  great  and  recent  exertion, 
which  he  had  not  yet  found  leisure  to  repair.  The  colors  of  the 
war-paint  had  blended  in  dark  confusion  about  his  fierce  coun 
tenance,  and  rendered  his  swarthy  lineaments  still  more  savage 
and  repulsive  than  if  art  had  attempted  an  effect  which  had  been 
thus  produced  by  chance.  His  eye,  alone,  which  glistened  like 
a  fiery  star  amid  lowering  clouds,  was  to  be  seen  in  its  state  of 
native  wildness.  For  a  single  instant,  his  searching  and  yet  wary 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  9 

glance  met  the  wondering  look  of  the  other,  and  then  changing 
its  direction,  partly  in  cunning,  and  partly  in  disdain,  it  remained 
fixed,  as  if  penetrating  the  distant  air. 

It  is  impossible  to  say  what  unlooked-for  remark  this  short 
and  silent  communication,  between  two  such  singular  men,  might 
have  elicited  from  the  white  man,  had  not  his  active  curiosity  been 
again  drawn  to  other  objects.  A  general  movement  among  the 
domestics,  and  ^  low  sound  of  gentle  voices,  announced  the  ap 
proach  of  Ihose  whose  presence  alone  was  wanted  to  enable  the 
cavalcade  to  move.  The  simple  admirer  of  the  war-horse  in 
stantly  fell  back  to  a  low,  gaunt,  switch-tailed  mare,  that  was 
unconsciously  gleaning  the  faded  herbage  of  the  camp  nigh  by; 
where,  leaning  with  one  elbow  on  the  blanket  that  concealed  an 
apology  for  a  saddle,  he  became  a  spectator  of  the  departure, 
while  a  foal  was  quietly  making  its  morning  repast,  on  the  oppo 
site  side  of  the  same  animal. 

A  young  man,  in  the  dress  of  an  officer,  conducted  to  their 
steeds  two  females,  who,  as  it  was  apparent  by  their  dresses,  were 
prepared  to  encounter  the  fatigues  of  a  journey  in  the  woods. 
One,  and  she  was  the  most  juvenile  in  her  appearance,  though 
both  were  young,  permitted  glimpses  of  her  dazzling  complexion, 
fair  golden  hair,  and  bright  blue  eyes,  to  be  caught,  as  she  art 
lessly  suffered  the  morning  air  to  blow  aside  the  green  veil  which 
descended  low  from  her  beaver.  The  flush  which  still  lingered 
above  the  pines  in  the  western  sky  was  not  more  bright  nor  deli 
cate  than  the  bloom  on  her  cheek ;  nor  was  the  opening  day  more 
cheering  than  the  animated  smile  which  she  bestowed  on  the 
youth,  as  he  assisted  her  into  the  saddle.  The  other,  who  ap 
peared  to  share  equally  in  the  attentions  of  the  young  officer,  con 
cealed  her  charms  from  the  gaze  of  the  soldiery,  with  a  care  that 
seemed  better  fitted  to  the  experience  of  four  or  five  additional 
years.  It  could  be  seen,  however,  that  her  person,  though 
moulded  with  the  same  exquisite  proportions,  of  which  none  of 
the  graces  were  lost  by  the  travelling  dress  she  wore,  was  rather 
fuller  and  more  mature  than  that  of  her  companion. 

No  sooner  were  these  females  seated,  than  their  attendant 
sprang  lightly  into  the  saddle  of  the  war-horse,  when  the  whole 
three  bowed  to  Webb,  who,  in  courtesy,  awaited  their  parting  on 
the  threshold  of  his  cabin,  and  turning  their  horses'  heads,  they 
proceeded  at  a  slow  amble,  followed  by  their  train,  towards  the 
northern  entrance  of  the  encampment.  As  they  traversed  that 


10  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

short  distance,  not  a  voice  was  heard  amongst  them ;  but  a  slight 
exclamation  proceeded  from  the  younger  of  the  females,  as  the 
Indian  runner  glided  by  her,  unexpectedly,  and  led  the  way 
along  the  military  road  in  her  front.  Though  this  sudden  and 
startling  movement  of  the  Indian  produced  no  sound  from  the 
other,  in  the  surprise  her  veil  also  was  allowed  to  open  its  folds, 
and  betrayed  an  indescribable  look  of  pity,  admiration,  and  hor 
ror,  as  her  dark  eye  followed  the  easy  motions  of  the  savage. 
The  tresses  of  this  lady  were  shining  and  black,  like  the  plumage 
of  the  raven.  Her  complexion  was  not  brown,  but  it  rather  ap 
peared  charged  with  the  color  of  the  rich  blood,  that  seemed 
ready  to  burst  its  bounds.  And  yet  there  was  neither  coarseness 
nor  want  of  shadowing  in  a  countenance  that  was  exquisitely 
regular  and  dignified,  and  surpassingly  beautiful.  She  smiled, 
as  if  in  pity  at  her  own  momentary  forgetfulness,  discovering  by 
the  act  a  row  of  teeth  that  would  have  shamed  the  purest  ivory; 
when,  replacing  the  veil,  she  bowed  her  face,  and  rode  in  silence, 
like  one  whose  thoughts  were  abstracted  from  the  scene  around 
her. 


CHAPTER    II. 

"Sola,  sola,   wo,   ha,  ho,   sola!" 

SHAKESPEARE. 

WHILE  one  of  the  lovely  beings  we  have  so  cursorily  presented 
to  the  reader  was  thus  lost  in  thought,  the  other  quickly  recovered 
from  the  alarm  which  induced  the  exclamation,  and,  laughing  at 
her  own  weakness,  she  inquired  of  the  youth  who  rode  by  In 
side,— 

"Are  such  spectres  frequent  in  the  woods,  Heyward;  or  is 
this  sight  an  especial  entertainment  on  our  behalf?  If  the  latter, 
gratitude  must  close  our  mouths;  but  if  the  former,  both  Cora 
and  I  shall  have  need  to  draw  largely  on  that  stock  of  hereditary 
courage  which  we  boast,  even  before  we  are  made  to  encounter 
the  redoubtable  Montcalm." 

"Yon  Indian  is  a  'runner'  of  the  army;  and,  after  the  fashion 
of  his  people,  he  may  be  accounted  a  hero,"  returned  the  officer. 
"He  has  volunteered  to  guide  us  to  the  lake,  by  a  path  but  little 
known,  sooner  than  if  we  followed  the  tardy  movements  of  the 
column:  and,  by  consequence,  more  agreeably." 

"I  like  him  not,"  said  the  lady,  shuddering,  partly  in  assumed, 
yet  more  in  real  terror.  "You  know  him,  Duncan,  or  you  would 
not  trust  yourself  so  freely  to  his  keeping?" 

"Say,  rather,  Alice,  that  I  would  not  trust  you.  I  do  know 
him,  or  he  would  not  have  my  confidence,  and  least  of  all  at  this 
moment.  He  is  said  to  be  a  Canadian,  too;  and  yet  he  served 
with  our  friends  the  Mohawks,  who,  as  you  know,  are  one  of  the 
six  allied  nations.1  He  was  brought  among  us,  as  I  have  heard, 
by  some  strange  accident  in  which  your  father  was  interested, 

i  There  existed  for  a  long  time  a  confederation  among  the  Indian  tribes  which  occupied 
the  northwestern  part  of  the  colony  of  Xew  York,  which  was  at  first  known  as  the  "Five 
Nations."  At  a  later  day  it  admitted  another  trihe,  when  the  appellation  was  changed 
to  that  of  the  "Six  Nations."  The  original  confederation  consisted  of  the  Mohawks,  the 
Oneidas,  the  Senecas,  the  Cayugas,  and  the  Onondagas.  The  sixth  tribe  was  the  Tus- 
caroras.  There  are  remnants 'of  all  these  people  still  living  on  lands  secured  to  them  by 
the  State;  but  they1  are  daily  disappearing,  either  by  deaths  or  by  removals  to  scenes 
more  congenial  to  their  habits.  In  a  short  time  there  will  be  no  remains  of  these 
extraordinary  people,  in  those  regions  in  which  they  dwelt  for  centuries,  but  their  names. 
The  State  of  New  York  has  counties  named  after  all  of  them  but  the  Mohawks  and  the 
Tuscaroras.  The  second  river*  of  that  State  is  called  the  Mohawk. 

11 


12  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

and  in  which  the  savage  was  rigidly  dealt  by — but  I  forget  the 
idle  tale;  it  is  enough,  that  he  is  now  our  friend." 

"If  he  has  been  my  father's  enemy,  I  like  him  still  lessl"  ex 
claimed  the  now  really  anxious  girl.  "Will  you  not  speak  to  him, 
Major  Hey  ward,  that  I  may  hear  his  tones?  Foolish  though  it 
may  be,  you  have  often  heard  me  avow  my  faith  in  the  tones  of 
the  human  voice!" 

"It  would  be  in  vain;  and  answered,  most  probably,  by  an 
ejaculation.  Though  he  may  understand  it,  he  affects,  like  most 
of  his  people,  to  be  ignorant  of  the  English;  and  least  of  all  will 
he  condescend  to  speak  it,  now  that  war  demands  the  utmost 
exercise  of  his  dignity.  But  he  stops;  the  private  path  by  which 
we  are  to  journey  is,  doubtless,  at  hand." 

The  conjecture  of  Major  Hey  ward  was  true.  When  they 
reached  the  spot  where  the  Indian  stood,  pointing  into  the  thicket 
that  fringed  the  military  road,  a  narrow  and  blind  path,  which 
might,  with  some  little  inconvenience,  receive  one  person  at  a 
time,  became  visible. 

"Here,  then,  lies  our  way,"  said  the  young  man,  in  a  low  voice. 
"Manifest  no  distrust,  or  you  may  invite  the  danger  you  appear 
to  apprehend." 

"Cora,  what  think  you?"  asked  the  reluctant  fair  one.  "If  we 
journey  with  the  troops,  though  we  may  find  their  presence  irk 
some,  shall  we  not  feel  better  assurance  of  our  safety?" 

"Being  little  accustomed  to  the  practices  of  the  savages,  Alice, 
you  mistake  the  place  of  real  danger,"  said  Heyward.  "If  ene 
mies  have  reached  the  portage  at  all,  a  thing  by  no  means  proba 
ble,  as  our  scouts  are  abroad,  they  will  surely  be  found  skirting 
the  column  where  scalps  abound  the  most.  The  route  of  the  de 
tachment  is  known,  while  ours,  having  been  determined  within 
the  hour,  must  still  be  secret." 

"Should  we  distrust  the  man  because  his  manners  are  not  our 
manners,  and  that  his  skin  is  dark?"  coldly  asked  Cora.  \  ^ 

Alice  hesitated  no  longer;  but  giving  her  Narragansett1  a 

i  In  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  there  Is  a  bay  called  Narragansett,  so  named  after  a 
powerful  tribe  of  Indians,  which  formerly  dwelt  on  its  banks.  Accident,  or  one  of  those 
unaccountable  freaks  which  nature  sometimes  plays  in  the  animal  world,  gave  rise  to  a 
breed  of  horses  which  were  once  well  known  in  America  by  the  name  of  the  Narra- 
gansetts.  They  were  small,  commonly  of  the  color  called  sorrel  in  America,  and  dis 
tinguished  by  their  habit  of  pacing.  Horses  of  this  race  were,  and  are  still,  in  much 
request  as  saddle-horses,  on  account  of  their  hardiness  and  the  ease  of  their  movements. 
As  they  were  also  sure  of  foot,  the  Narragansetts  were  greatly  sought  for  by  females 
who  were  obliged  to  travel  over  the  roots  and  holes  in  the  "new  countries." 


THE   LAST    OF   THE    MOHICANS  13 

smart  cut  of  the  whip,  she  was  the  first  to  dash  aside  the  slight 
branches  of  the  bushes,  and  to  follow  the  runner  along  the  dark 
and  tangled  pathway.  The  young  man  regarded  the  last  speaker 
in  open  admiration,  and  even  permitted  her  fairer  though  cer 
tainly  not  more  beautiful  companion  to  proceed  unattended, 
while  he  sedulously  opened  the  way  himself  for  the  passage  of 
her  who  has  been  called  Cora.  It  would  seem  that  the  domestics 
had  been  previously  instructed;  for,  instead  of  penetrating  the 
thicket,  they  followed  the  route  of  the  column;  a  measure  which 
Heyward  stated  had  been  dictated  by  the  sagacity  of  their  guide, 
in  order  to  diminish  the  marks  of  their  trail,  if,  haply,  the  Cana 
dian  savages  should  be  lurking  so  far  in  advance  of  their  army. 
For  many  minutes  the  intricacy  of  the  route  admitted  of  no  fur 
ther  dialogue;  after  which  they  emerged  from  the  broad  border 
of  underbrush  which  grew  along  the  line  of  the  highway,  and 
entered  under  the  high  but  dark  arches  of  the  forest.  Here  their 
progress  was  less  interrupted,  and  the  instant  the  guide  perceived 
that  the  females  could  command  their  steeds,  he  moved  on,  at  a 
pace  between  a  trot  and  a  walk,  and  at  a  rate  which  kept  the 
sure-footed  and  peculiar  animals  they  rode,  at  a  fast  yet  easy 
amble.  The  youth  had  turned  to  speak  to  the  dark-eyed  Cora, 
when  the  distant  sound  of  horses'  hoofs,  clattering  over  the  roots 
of  the  broken  way  in  his  rear,  caused  him  to  check  his  charger; 
and,  as  his  companions  drew  their  reins  at  the  same  instant,  the 
whole  party  came  to  a  halt,  in  order  to  obtain  an  explanation  of 
the  unlooked-for  interruption. 

In  a  few  moments  a  colt  was  seen  gliding,  like  a  fallow-deer, 
among  the  straight  trunks  of  the  pines;  and,  in  another  instant, 
the  person  of  the  ungainly  man  described  in  the  preceding  chap 
ter,  came  into  view,  with  as  much  rapidity  as  he  could  excite  his 
meagre  beast  to  endure  without  coming  to  an  open  rupture. 
Until  now  this  personage  had  escaped  the  observation  of  the 
travellers.  If  he  possessed  the  power  to  arrest  any  wandering 
eye  when  exhibiting  the  glories  of  his  altitude  on  foot,  his  eques 
trian  graces  were  still  more  likely  to  attract  attention.  Notwith 
standing  a  constant  application  of  his  one  armed  heel  to  the  flanks 
of  the  mare,  the  most  confirmed  gait  that  he  could  establish  was 
a  Canterbury  gallop  with  the  hind  legs,  in  which  those  more  for 
ward  assisted  for  doubtful  moments,  though  generally  content  to 
maintain  a  loping  trot.  Perhaps  the  rapidity  of  the  changes 
from  one  of  these  paces  to  the  other  created  an  optical  illusion, 


14  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

which  might  thus  magnify  the  powers  of  the  beast;  for  it  is  cer 
tain  that  Heyward,  who  possessed  a  true  eye  for  the  merits  of  a 
horse,  was  unable,  with  his  utmost  ingenuity,  to  decide  by  what 
sort  of  movement  his  pursuer  worked  his  sinuous  way  on  his  foot 
steps  with  such  persevering  hardihood. 

The  industry  and  movements  of  the  rider  were  not  less  re 
markable  than  those  of  the  ridden.  At  each  change  in  the  evolu 
tions  of  the  latter,  the  former  raised  his  tall  person  in  the  stirrups ; 
producing,  in  this  manner,  by  the  undue  elongation  of  his  legs, 
such  sudden  growths  and  diminishings  of  the  stature,  as  baffled 
every  conjecture  that  might  be  made  as  to  his  dimensions.  If  to 
this  be  added  the  fact  that,  in  consequence  of  the  ex  parte  appli 
cation  of  the  spur,  one  side  of  the  mare  appeared  to  journey  faster 
than  the  other;  and  that  the  aggrieved  flank  was  resolutely  indi 
cated  by  unremitted  flourishes  of  a  bushy  tail,  we  finish  the  pic 
ture  of  both  horse  and  man. 

The  frown  which  had  gathered  around  the  handsome,  open, 
and  manly  brow  of  Heyward,  gradually  relaxed,  and  his  lips 
curled  into  a  slight  smile,  as  he  regarded  the  stranger.  Alice 
made  no  very  powerful  effort  to  control  her  merriment;  and  even 
the  dark,  thoughtful  eye  of  Cora  lighted  with  a  humor  that,  it 
would  seem,  the  habit,  rather  than  the  nature  of  its  mistress 
repressed. 

"Seek  you  any  here?"  demanded  Heyward,  when  the  other 
had  arrived  sufficiently  nigh  to  abate  his  speed;  "I  trust  you  are 
no  messenger  of  evil  tidings?" 

"Even  so,"  replied  the  stranger,  making  diligent  use  of  his 
triangular  castor,  to  produce  a  circulation  in  the  close  air  of  the 
woods,  and  leaving  his  hearers  in  doubt  to  which  of  the  young 
man's  questions  he  responded;  when,  however,  he  had  cooled  his 
face,  and  recovered  his  breath,  he  continued,  "I  hear  you  are 
riding  to  William  Henry;  as  I  am  journeying  thitherward  my 
self,  I  concluded  good  company  would  seem  consistent  to  the 
wishes  of  both  parties." 

"You  appear  to  possess  the  privilege  of  a  casting  vote,"  re 
turned  Heyward;  "we  are  three,  whilst  you  have  consulted  no 
one  but  yourself." 

"Even  so.  The  first  point  to  be  obtained  is  to  know  one's 
own  mind.  Once  sure  of  that,  and  where  women  are  concerned, 
it  is  not  easy,  the  next  is,  to  act  up  to  the  decision.  I  have  en 
deavored  to  do  both,  and  here  I  am." 


THE   LAST   OE   THE   MOHICANS  15 

"If  you  journey  to  the  lake,  you  have  mistaken  your  route," 
said  Heyward,  haughtily;  "the  highway  thither  is  at  least  half  a 
mile  behind  you." 

"Even  so,"  returned  the  stranger,  nothing  daunted  by  this 
cold  reception;  "I  have  tarried  at  'Edward'  a  week,  and  I  should 
be  dumb  not  to  have  inquired  the  road  I  was  to  journey;  and  if 
dumb  there  would  be  an  end  to  my  calling."  After  simpering  in 
a  small  way,  like  one  whose  modesty  prohibited  a  more  open,  ex 
pression  of  his  admiration  of  a  witticism  that  was  perfectly  un 
intelligible  to  his  hearers,  he  continued:  "It  is  not  prudent  for 
any  one  of  my  profession  to  be  too  familiar  with  those  he  is  to 
instruct ;  for  which  reason  I  follow  not  the  line  of  the  army ;  be 
sides  which,  I  conclude  that  a  gentleman  of  your  character  has 
the  best  judgment  in  matters  of  wayfaring;  I  have  therefore  de 
cided  to  join  company,  in  order  that  the  ride  may  be  made  agree 
able,  and  partake  of  social  communion." 

"A  most  arbitrary,  if  not  a  hasty  decision  1"  exclaimed  Hey 
ward,  undecided  whether  to  give  vent  to  his  growing  anger,  or 
to  laugh  in  the  other's  face.  "But  you  speak  of  instruction,  and 
of  a  profession;  are  you  an  adjunct  to  the  provincial  corps,  as  a 
master  of  the  noble  science  of  defence  and  offence;  or,  perhaps, 
you  are  one  who  draws  lines  and  angles,  under  the  pretence  of 
expounding  the  mathematics?" 

The  stranger  regarded  his  interrogator  a  moment,  in  wonder ; 
and  then,  losing  every  mark  of  self-satisfaction  in  an  expression 
of  solemn  humility,  he  answered  :— 

"Of  offence,  I  hope  there  is  none,  to  either  party:  of  defence, 
I  make  none — by  God's  good  mercy,  having  committed  no  palpa 
ble  sin  since  last  entreating  his  pardoning  grace.  I  understand 
not  your  allusions  about  lines  and  angles;  and  I  leave  expound 
ing  to  those  who  have  been  called  and  set  apart  for  that  holy 
office.  I  lay  claim  to  no  higher  gift  than  a  small  insight  into  the 
glorious  art  of  petitioning  and  thanksgiving,  as  practised  in 
psalmody." 

"The  man  is,  most  manifestly,  a  disciple  of  Apollo,"  cried  the 
amused  Alice,  "and  I  take  him  under  my  own  especial  protec 
tion.  Nay,  throw  aside  that  frown,  Heyward,  and  in  pity  to  my 
longing  ears,  suffer  him  to  journey  in  our  train.  Besides,"  she 
added,  in  a  low  and  hurried  voice,  casting  a  glance  at  the  distant 
Cora,  who  slowly  followed  the  footsteps  of  their  silent  but  sullen 
guide,  "it  may  be  a  friend  added  to  our  strength,  in  time  of  need." 


16  THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS 

"Think  you,  Alice,  that  I  would  trust  those  I  love  by  this 
secret  path,  did  I  imagine  such  need  could  happen?" 

"Nay,  nay,  I  think  not  of  it  now;  but  this  strange  man  amuses 
me;  and  if  he  'hath  music  in  his  soul,'  let  us  not  churlishly  reject 
his  company."  She  pointed  persuasively  along  the  path  with  her 
riding-whip,  while  their  eyes  met  in  a  look  which  the  young  man 
lingered  a  moment  to  prolong;  then  yielding  to  her  gentle  influ 
ence,  he  clapped  his  spurs  into  his  charger,  and  in  a  few  bounds 
was  again  at  the  side  of  Cora. 

"I  am  glad  to  encounter  thee,  friend,"  continued  the  maiden, 
waving  her  hand  to  the  stranger  to  proceed,  as  she  urged  her 
Narragansett  to  renew  its  amble.  "Partial  relatives  have  almost 
persuaded  me  that  I  am  not  entirely  worthless  in  a  duet  myself ; 
and  we  may  enliven  our  wayfaring  by  indulging  in  our  favorite 
pursuit.  It  might  be  of  signal  advantage  to  one,  ignorant  as  I, 
to  hear  the  opinions  and  experience  of  a  master  in  the  art." 

"It  is  refreshing  both  to  the  spirits  and  to  the  body  to  indulge 
in  psalmody,  in  befitting  seasons,"  returned  the  master  of  song, 
unhesitatingly  complying_ with  her  intimation  to  follow;  "and 
nothing  would  relieve  the  mind  more  than  such  a  consoling  com 
munion.  But  four  parts  are  altogether  necessary  to  the  perfec 
tion  of  melody.  You  have  all  the  manifestations  of  a  soft  and 
rich  treble ;  I  can,  by  especial  aid,  carry  a  full  tenor  to  the  highest 
letter;  but  we  lack  counter  and  bass!  Yon  officer  of  the  king, 
who  hesitated  to  admit  me  to  his  company,  might  fill  the  latter, 
if  one  may  judge  from  the  intonations  of  his  voice  in  common 
dialogue." 

"Judge  not  too  rashly  from  hasty  and  deceptive  appear 
ances,"  said  the  lady,  smiling;  "though  Major  Heyward  can  as 
sume  such  deep  notes  on  occasion,  believe  me,  his  natural  tones 
are  better  fitted  for  a  mellow  tenor  than  the  bass  you  heard." 

"Is  he,  then,  much  practised  in  the  art  of  psalmody?"  de 
manded  her  simple  companion. 

Alice  felt  disposed  to  laugh,  though  she  succeeded  in  sup 
pressing  her  merriment,  ere  she  answered,— 

"I  apprehend  that  he  is  rather  addicted  to  profane  song.  The 
chances  of  a  soldier's  life  are  but  little  fitted  for  the  encourage 
ment  of  more  sober  inclinations." 

"Man's  voice  is  given  to  him,  like  his  other  talents,  to  be  used, 
and  not  to  be  abused.  None  can  say  they  have  ever  known  me 
neglect  my  gifts!  I  am  thankful  that,  though  my  boyhood  may 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  17 

be  said  to  have  been  set  apart,  like  the  youth  of  the  royal  David, 
for  the  purposes  of  music,  no  syllable  of  rude  verse  has  ever  pro 
faned  my  lips." 

"You  have,  then,  limited  your  efforts  to  sacred  song?" 
"Even  so.  As  the  psalms  of  David  exceed  all  other  language, 
so  does  the  psalmody  that  has  been  fitted  to  them  by  the  divines 
and  sages  of  the  land,  surpass  all  vain  poetry.  Happily,  I  may 
say  that  I  utter  nothing  but  the  thoughts  and  the  wishes  of  the 
King  of  Israel  himself;  for  though  the  times  may  call  for  some 
slight  changes,  yet  does  this  version  which  we  use  in  the  colonies 
of  New  England,  so  much  exceed  all  other  versions,  that,  by  its 
richness,  its  exactness,  and  its  spiritual  simplicity,  it  approacheth, 
as  near  as  may  be,  to  the  great  work  of  the  inspired  writer.  I  never 
abide  in  any  place,  sleeping  or  waking,  without  an  example  of  this 
gifted  work.  'Tis  the  six-and-twentieth  edition,  promulgated  at 
Boston,  Anno  Domini  1744;  and  is  entitled,  The  Psalms,  Hymns, 
and  Spiritual  Songs  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments;  faithfully 
translated  into  English  Metre,  for  the  Use,  Edification,  and 
Comfort  of  the  Saints,  in  Public  and  Private,  especially  in  New 
England." 

During  this  eulogium  on  the  rare  production  of  his  native 
poets,  the  stranger  had  drawn  the  book  from  his  pocket,  and, 
fitting  a  pair,  of  iron-rimmed  spectacles  to  his  nose,  opened  the 
volume  with  a  care  and  veneration  suited  to  its  sacred  purposes. 
Then,  without  circumlocution  or  apology,  first  pronouncing  the 
word  "Standish,"  and  placing  the  unknown  engine,  already  de 
scribed,  to  his  mouth,  from  which  he  drew  a  high,  shrill  sound,  that 
was  followed  by  an  octave  below,  from  his  own  voice,  he  com 
menced  singing  the  following  words,  in  full,  sweet,  and  melodious 
tones,  that  set  the  music,  the  poetry,  and  even  the  uneasy  motion 
of  his  ill-trained  beast  at  defiance : — 

"How  good  it  is,  O  see, 

And  how  it  pleaseth  well, 
Together,  e'en  in  unity, 

For  brethren  so  to  dwell. 
It's  like  the  choice  ointment, 

From  the  head  to  the1  beard  did  go: 
Down  Aaron's  beard,  that  downward  went, 

His  garment's  skirts  unto." 

The  delivery  of  these  skilful  rhymes  was  accompanied,  on  the 
part  of  the  stranger,  by  a  regular  rise  and  fall  of  his  right  hand, 


18  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

which  terminated  at  the  descent,  by  suffering  the  fingers  to  dwell 
a  moment  on  the  leaves  of  the  little  volume ;  and  on  the  ascent,  by 
such  a  flourish  of  the  member  as  none  but  the  initiated  may  ever 
hope  to  imitate.  It  would  seem  that  long  practice  had  rendered 
this  manual  accompaniment  necessary;  for  it  did  not  cease  until 
the  preposition  which  the  poet  had  selected  for  the  close  of  his 
verse,  had  been  duly  delivered  like  a  word  of  two  syllables. 

Such  an  innovation  on  the  silence  and  retirement  of  the  forest 
could  not  fail  to  enlist  the  ears  of  those  who  journeyed  at  so  short 
a  distance  in  advance.  The  Indian  muttered  a  few  words  in 
broken  English  to  Heyward,  who,  in  his  turn,  spoke  to  the 
stranger;  at  once  interrupting,  and,  for  the  time,  closing  his 
musical  efforts. 

"Though  we  are  not  in  danger,  common  prudence  would  teach 
us  to  journey  through  this  wilderness  in  as  quiet  a  manner  as 
possible.  You  will,  then,  pardon  me,  Alice,  should  I  diminish 
your  enjoyments,  by  requesting  this  gentleman  to  postpone  his 
chant  until  a  safer  opportunity." 

"You  will  diminish  them,  indeed,"  returned  the  arch  girl,  "for 
never  did  I  hear  a  more  unworthy  conjunction  of  execution  and 
language,  than  that  to  which  I  have  been  listening;  and  I  was  far 
gone  in  a  learned  inquiry  into  the  causes  of  such  an  unfitness  be 
tween  sound  and  sense,  when  you  broke  the  charm  of  my  musings 
by  that  bass  of  yours,  Duncan!" 

"I  know  not  what  you  call  my  bass,"  said  Heyward,  piqued  at 
her  remark,  "but  I  know  that  your  safety,  and  that  of  Cora,  is  far 
dearer  to  me  than  could  be  any  orchestra  of  Handel's  music."  He 
paused  and  turned  his  head  quickly  towards  a  thicket,  and  then 
bent  his  eyes  suspiciously  on  their  guide,  who  continued  his  steady 
pace,  in  undisturbed  gravity.  The  young  man  smiled  to  himself, 
for  he  believed  he  had  mistaken  some  shining  berry  of  the  woods 
for  the  glistening  eyeballs  of  a  prowling  savage,  and  he  rode  for 
ward,  continuing  the  conversation  which  had  been  interrupted  by 
the  passing  thought. 

Major  Heyward  was  mistaken  only  in  suffering  his  youthful 
and  generous  pride  to  suppress  his  active  watchfulness.  The  cav 
alcade  had  not  long  passed,  before  the  branches  of  the  bushes  that 
formed  the  thicket  were  cautiously  moved  asunder,  and  a  human 
•v-rsage,  as  fiercely  wild  as  savage  art  and  unbridled  passions  could 
make  it,  peered  out  on  the  retiring  footsteps  of  the  travellers.  A 
gleam  of  exultation  shot  across  the  darkly  painted  lineaments  of 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  19 

the  inhabitant  of  the  forest,  as  he  traced  the  route  of  his  intended 
victims,  who  rode  unconsciously  onward:  the  light  and  graceful 
forms  of  the  females  waving  among  the  trees,  in  the  curvatures 
of  their  path,  followed  at  each  bend  by  the  manly  figure  of  Hey- 
ward,  until,  finally,  the  shapeless  person  of  the  singing-master 
was  concealed  behind  the  numberless  trunks  of  trees,  that  rose,  in 
dark  lines,  in  the  intermediate  space. 


CHAPTER  III. 

"Before  these  fields  were  shorn  and  tilled, 

Full  to  the  brim  our  rivers  flowed; 
The  melody  of  waters  filled 

The  fresh  and  boundless  wood; 
And  torrents   dashed,  and   rivulets  played, 
And  fountains  spouted  in  the  shade." 

BRYANT. 

LEAVING  the  unsuspecting  Heyward  and  his  confiding  compan 
ions  to  penetrate  still  deeper  into  a  forest  that  contained  such 
treacherous  inmates,  we  must  use  an  author's  privilege,  and  shift 
the  scene  a  few  miles  to  the  westward  of  the  place  where  we  have 
last  seen  them. 

On  that  day,  two  men  were  lingering  on  the  banks  of  a  small 
but  rapid  stream,  within  an  hour's  journey  of  the  encampment 
of  Webb,  like  those  who  awaited  the  appearance  of  an  absent 
person,  or  the  approach  of  some  expected  event.  The  vast  canopy 
of  woods  spread  itself  to  the  margin  of  the  river  overhanging  the 
water,  and  shadowing  its  dark  current  with  a  deeper  hue.  The 
rays  of  the  sun  were  beginning  to  grow  less  fierce,  and  the  intense 
heat  of  the  day  was  lessened,  as  the  cooler  vapors  of  the  springs 
and  fountains  rose  above  their  leafy  beds,  and  rested  in  the  atmos 
phere.  Still  that  breathing  silence,  which  marks  the  drowsy  sul 
triness  of  an  American  landscape  in  July,  pervaded  the  secluded 
spot,  interrupted  only  by  the  low  voices  of  the  men,  the  occasional 
and  lazy  tap  of  a  woodpecker,  the  discordant  cry  of  some  gaudy 
jay,  or  a  swelling  on  the  ear,  from  the  dull  roar  of  a  distant  water 
fall. 

These  feeble  and  broken  sounds  were,  however,  too  familiar 
to  the  foresters,  to  draw  their  attention  from  the  more  interesting 
matter  of  their  dialogue.  While  one  of  these  loiterers  showed  the 
red  skin  and  wild  accoutrements  of  a  native  of  the  woods,  the 
other  exhibited,  through  the  mask  of  his  rude  and  nearly  savage 
equipments,  the  brighter,  though  sunburnt  and  long-faded  com 
plexion  of  one  who  might  claim  descent  from  a  European  parent 
age.  The  former  was  seated  on  the  end  of  a  mossy  log,  in  a 

20 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  21 

posture  that  permitted  him  to  heighten  the  effect  of  his  earnest 
language,  by  the  calm  but  expressive  gestures  of  an  Indian  en 
gaged  in  debate.  His  body,  which  was  nearly  naked,  presented 
a  terrific  emblem  of  death,  drawn  in  intermingled  colors  of  white 
and  black.  His  closely  shaved  head,  on  which  no  other  hair  than 
the  well  known  and  chivalrous  scalping  tuft1  was  preserved,  was 
without  ornament  of  any  kind,  with  the  exception  of  a  solitary 
eagle's  plume,  that  crossed  his  crown,  and  depended  over  the  left 
shoulder.  A  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife,  of  English  manu 
facture,  were  in  his  girdle ;  while  a  short  military  rifle,  of  that  sort 
with  which  the  policy  of  the  whites  armed  their  savage  allies,  lay 
carelessly  across  his  bare  and  sinewy  knee.  The  expanded  chest, 
full  formed  limbs,  and  grave  countenance  of  this  warrior,  would 
denote  that  he  had  reached  the  vigor  of  his  days,  though  no  symp 
toms  of  decay  appeared  to  have  yet  weakened  his  manhood. 

The  frame  of  the  white  man,  judging  by  such  parts  as  were 
not  concealed  by  his  clothes,  was  like  that  of  one  who  had  known 
hardships  and  exertion  from  his  earliest  youth.  His  person, 
though  muscular,  was  rather  attenuated  than  full;  but  every 
nerve  and  muscle  appeared  strung  and  indurated  by  unremitted 
exposure  and  toil.  He  wore  a  hunting-shirt  of  forest  g^x-en, 
fringed  with  faded  yellow,2  and  a  summer  cap  of  skins  which  had 
been  shorn  of  their  fur.  He  also  bore  a  knife  in  a  girdle  of  wam 
pum,  like  that  which  confined  the  scanty  garments  of  the  Indian, 
but  no  tomahawk.  His  moccasins  were  ornamented  after  the  gay 
fashion  of  the  natives,  while  the  only  part  of  his  under-dress  which 
appeared  below  the  hunting-frock,  was  a  pair  of  buckskin  leg 
gings,  that  laced  at  the  sides,  and  which  were  gartered  above  the 
knees  with  the  sinews  of  a  deer.  A  pouch  and  horn  completed  his 
personal  accoutrements,  though  a  rifle  of  great  length,3  which  the 
theory  of  the  more  ingenious  whites  had  taught  them  was  the  most 
dangerous  of  all  fire-arms,  leaned  against  a  neighboring  sapling. 
The  eye  of  the  hunter,  or  scout,  whichever  he  might  be,  was  small, 

1  The  North  American  warrior  caused  the  hair  to  be  plucked  from(  his  whole  body; 
a  small  tuft,  only,  was  left  on  the  crown  of  his  head  in  order  that  his  enemy  might  avail 
himself  of  it,  in  wrenching  off  the  scalp  in  the  event  of  his  fall.     The  scalp  was  the  only 
admissible  trophy  of  victory.     Thus,  it  was  deemed  more  important  to  obtain  the  scalp 
than  to  kill  the  man.     Some  tribes  lay  great  stress  on  the  honor  of  striking  a  dead  body. 
Thesfe  practices  have  nearly  disappeared  among  {he  Indians  of  the  Atlantic  States. 

2  The  hunting-shirt  is  a -picturesque  smock  frock,  being  shorter,  and  ornamented  with 
fringes  and  tassels.     The  colors  are  intended   to   imitate  the  hues  of  the  wood  with  a 
view  Ao  concealment.     Many  corps  of  American  riflemen  have  been  thus  attired;  and  the 
dress  is  one  of  the  most  striking  of  modern  times.    The  hunting-shirt  is  frequently  white. 

3  The  rifle  of  the  army  is  short;  that  of  the  hunter  is  always  long. 


22  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

quick,  keen,  and  restless,  roving  while  he  spoke,  on  every  side  of 
liim,  as  if  in  quest  of  game,  or  distrusting  the  sudden  approach  of 
some  lurking  enemy.  Notwithstanding  the  symptoms  of  habitual 
suspicion,  his  countenance  was  not  only  without  guile,  but  at  the 
moment  at  which  he  is  introduced,  it  was  charged  with  an  expres 
sion  of  sturdy  honesty. 

"Even  your  traditions  make  the  case  in  my  favor,  Chingach- 
gook,"  he  said,  speaking  in  the  tongue  which  was  known  to  all  the 
natives  who  formerly  inhabited  the  country  between  the  Hudson 
and  the  Potomac,  and  of  which  we  shall  give  a  free  translation  for 
the  benefit  of  the  reader;  endeavoring,  at  the  same  time,  to  pre 
serve  some  of  the  peculiarities,  both  of  the  individual  and  of  the 
language.  "Your  fathers  came  from  the  setting  sun,  crossed  the 
big  river,1  fought  the  people  of  the  country,  and  took  the  land; 
and  mine  came  from  the  red  sky  of  the  morning,  over  the  salt 
lake,  and  did  their  work  much  after  the  fashion  that  had  been  set 
them  by  yours;  then  let  God  judge  the  matter  between  us,  and 
friends  spare  their  words  I" 

"My  fathers  fought  with  the  naked  redmenl"  returned  the 
Indian  sternly,  in  the  same  language.  "Is  there  no  difference, 
Hawkeye,  between  the  stone-headed  arrow  of  the  warrior,  and 
the  leaden  bullet  with  which  you  kill?" 

"There  is  reason  in  an  Indian,  though  nature  has  made  him 
with  a  red  skin!"  said  the  white  man,  shaking  his  head  like  one  on 
whom  such  an  appeal  to  his  justice  was  not  thrown  away.  For  a 
moment  he  appeared  to  be  conscious  of  having  the  worst  of  the 
argument,  then,  rallying  again,  he  answered  the  objection  of  his 
antagonist  in  the  best  manner  his  limited  information  would 
allow:  "I  am  no  scholar,  and  I  care  not  who  knows  it;  but  judging 
from  what  I  have  seen,  at  deer  chases  and  squirrel  hunts,  of  the 
sparks  below,  I  should  think  a  rifle  in  the  hands  of  their  grand 
fathers  was  not  so  dangerous  as  a  hickory  bow  and  a  good  flint- 
head  might  be,  if  drawn  with  Indian  judgment,  and  sent  by  an 
Indian  eye." 

"You  have  the  story  told  by  your  fathers,"  returned  the  other, 
coldly  waving  his  hand.  "What  say  your  old  men?  do  they  tell 
the  young  warriors,  that  the  pale-faces  met  the  redmen,  painted 
for  war  and  armed  with  the  stone  hatchet  and  wooden  gun?" 

i  The  Mississippi.  The  scout  alludes  to  a  tradition  which  is  very  popular  among  the 
tribes  of  the  Atlantic  States.  Evidence  of  their  Asiatic  origin  is  deduced  from  the  cir 
cumstances,  though  great  uncertainty  hangs  over  the  whole  history  of  the  Indians. 


THE   LAST   OF   THE    MOHICANS  23 

"I  am  not  a  prejudiced  man,  nor  one  who  vaunts  himself  on 
his  natural  privileges,  though  the  worst  enemy  I  have  on  earth, 
and  he  is  an  Iroquois,  daren't  deny  that  I  am  genuine  white,"  the 
scout  replied,  surveying,  with  secret  satisfaction,  the  faded  color 
of  his  bony  and  sinewy  hand ;  "and  I  am  willing  to  own  that  my 
people  have  many  ways,  of  which,  as  an  honest  man,  I  can't  ap 
prove.  It  is  one  of  their  customs  to  write  in  books  what  they  have 
done  and  seen,  instead  of  telling  them  in  their  villages,  where  the 
lie  can  be  given  to  the  face  of  a  cowardly  boaster,  and  the  brave 
soldier  can  call  on  his  comrades  to  witness  for  the  truth  of  his 
words.  In  consequence  of  this  bad  fashion,  a  man  who  is  too  con 
scientious  to  misspend  his  days  among  the  women,  in  learning  the 
names  of  black  marks,  may  never  hear  of  the  deeds  of  his  fathers, 
nor  feel  a  pride  in  striving  to  outdo  them.  For  myself,  I  conclude 
the  Bumppos  could  shoot,  for  I  have  a  natural  turn  with  a  rifle, 
which  must  have  been  handed  down  from  generation  to  genera 
tion,  as,  our  holy  commandments  tell  us,  all  good  and  evil  gifts 
are  bestowed ;  though  I  should  be  loth  to  answer  for  other  people 
in  such  a  matter.  But  every  story  has  its  two  sides;  so  I  ask  you, 
Chingachgook,  what  passed,  according  to  the  traditions  of  the 
redmen,  when  our  fathers  first  met?" 

A  silence  of  a  minute  succeeded,  during  which  the  Indian  sat 
mute ;  then,  full  of  the  dignity  of  his  office,  he  commenced  his  brief 
tale,  with  a  solemnity  that  served  to  heighten  its  appearance  of 
truth. 

"Listen,  Hawkeye,  and  your  ear  shall  drink  no  lie.  'Tis  what 
my  fathers  have  said,  and  what  the  Mohicans  have  done."  He 
hesitated  a  single  instant,  and  bending  a  cautious  glance  toward 
his  companion,  he  continued,  in  a  manner  that  was  divided  be 
tween  interrogation  and  assertion,  "Does  not  this  stream  at  our 
feet  run  towards  the  summer,  until  its  waters  grow  salt,  and  the 
current  flows  upward?" 

"It  can't  be  denied  that  your  traditions  tell  you  true  in  both 
these  matters,"  said  the  white  man;  "for  I  have  been  there,  and 
have  seen  them;  though,  why  water,  which  is  so  sweet  in  the  shade, 
should  become  bitter  in  the  sun,  is  an  alteration  for  which  I  have 
never  been  able  to  account." 

"And  the  current!"  demanded  the  Indian,  who  expected  his 
reply  with  that  sort  of  interest  that  a  man  feels  in  the  confirma 
tion  of  testimony,  at  which  he  marvels  even  while  he  respects  it; 
"the  fathers  of  Chingachgook  have  not  lied!" 


24  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"The  Holy  Bible  is  not  more  true,  and  that  is  the  truest  thing 
in  nature.  They  call  this  up-stream  current  the  tide,  which  is  a 
thing  soon  explained,  and  clear  enough.  Six  hours  the  waters  run 
in,  and  six  hours  they  run  out,  and  the  reason  is  this :  when  there 
is  higher  water  in  the  sea  than  in  the  river,  they  run  in,  until  the 
river  gets  to  be  highest,  and  then  it  runs  out  again." 

"The  waters  in  the  woods,  and  on  the  great  lakes,  run  down 
ward  until  they  lie  like  my  hand,"  said  the  Indian,  stretching  the 
limb  horizontally  before  him,  "and  then  they  run  no  more." 

"No  honest  man  will  deny  it,"  said  the  scout,  a  little  nettled  at 
the  implied  distrust  of  his  explanation  of  the  mystery  of  the  tides ; 
"and  I  grant  that  it  is  true  on  the  small  srijale,  and  where  the  land 
is  level.  But  everything  depends  on  what  scale  you  look  at 
things.  Now,  on  the  small  scale,  the  £arth  is  level;  but  on  the 
large  scale  it  is  round.  In  this  manner,  pools  and  ponds,  and  even 
the  great  fresh-water  lake,  may  be  stagnant,  as  you  and  I  both 
know  they  are,  having  seen  them;  but  when  you  come  to  spread 
water  over  a  great  tract,  like  the  sea,  where  the  earth  is  round, 
how  in  reason  can  the  water  be  quiet?  You  might  as  well  expect 
the  river  to  lie  still  on  the  brink  of  those  black  rocks  a  mile  above 
us,  though  your  own  ears  tell  you  that  it  is  tumbling  over  them 
at  this  very  moment!" 

If  unsatisfied  by  the  philosophy  of  his  companion,  the  Indian 
was  far  too  dignified  to  betray  his  unbelief.  He  listened  like  one 
who  was  convinced,  and  resumed  his  narrative  in  his  former 
solemn  manner. 

"We  came  from  the  place  where  the  sun  is  hid  at  night,  over 
great  plains  where  the  buffaloes  live,  until  we  reached  the  big 
river.  There  we  fought  the  Alligewi,  till  the  ground  was  red  with 
their  blood.  From  the  banks  of  the  big  river  to  the  shores  of  the 
salt  lake,  there  was  none  to  meet  us.  The  Maquas  followed  at  a 
distance.  We  said  the  country  should  be  ours  from  the  place 
where  the  water  runs  up  no  longer  on  this  stream,  to  a  river 
twenty  suns'  journey  toward  the  summer.  The  land  we  had 
taken  like  warriors,  we  kept  like  men.  We  drove  the  Maquas 
into  the  woods  with  the  bears.  They  only  tasted  salt  at 
the  licks ;  they  drew  no  fish  from  the  great  lake ;  we  threw  them 
the  bones." 

"All  this  I  have  heard  and  believe,"  said  the  white  man,  ob 
serving  that  the  Indian  paused:  "but  it  was  long  before  the 
English  came  into  the  country." 


THE    LAST    OF   THE    MOHICANS  25 

"A  pine  grew  then  where  this  chestnut  now  stands.  The  first 
pale-faces  who  came  among  us  spoke  no  English.  They  came 
in  a  large  canoe,  when  my  fathers  had  buried  the  tomahawk  with 
the  redmen  around  them.  Then,  Hawkeye,"  he  continued,  be 
traying  his  deep  emotion  only  by  permitting  his  voice  to  fall  to 
those  low,  guttural  tones,  which  rendered  his  language,  as  spoken 
at  times,  so  very  musical;  "then,  Hawkeye,  we  were  one  people, 
and  we  were  happy.  The  salt  lake  gave  us  its  fish,  the  wood  its 
deer,  and  the  air  its  birds.  We  took  wives  who  bore  us  children; 
we  worshipped  the  Great  Spirit;  and  we  kept  the  Maquas  beyond 
the  sound  of  our  songs  of  triumph !" 

"Know  you  anything  of  your  own  family  at  that  time?"  de 
manded  the  white.  "But  you  are  a  just  man,  for  an  Indian!  and, 
as  I  suppose  you  hold  their  gifts,  your  fathers  must  have  been 
brave  warriors,  and  wise  men  at  the  council  fire." 

"My  tribe  is  the  grandfather  of  nations,  but  I  am  an  unmixed 
man.  The  blood  of  chiefs  is  in  my  veins,  where  it  must  stay  for 
ever.  The  Dutch  landed,  and  gave  my  people  the  fire-water; 
they  drank  until  the  heavens  and  the  earth  seemed  to  meet,  and 
they  foolishly  thought  they  had  found  the  Great  Spirit.  Then 
they  parted  with  their  land.  Foot  by  foot,  they  were  driven  back 
from  the  shores,  until  I,  that  am  a  chief  and  a  sagamore,  have 
never  seen  the  sun  shine  but  through  the  trees,  and  have  never 
visited  the  graves  of. my  fathers!" 

"Graves  bring  solemn  feelings  over  the  mind,"  returned  the 
scout,  a  good  deal  touched  at  the  calm  suffering  of  his  companion ; 
"and  they  often  aid  a  man  in  his  good  intentions;  though,  for  my 
self,  I  expect  to  leave  my  own  bones  unburied,  to  bleach  in  the 
woods,  or  to  be  torn  asunder  by  the  wolves:  But  where  are  to  be 
found  those  of  your  race  who  came  to  their  kin  in  the  Delaware 
country,  so  many  summers  since?" 

"Where  are  the  blossoms  of  those  summers! — fallen,  one  by 
one :  so  all  of  my  family  departed,  each  in  his  turn,  to  the  land  of 
spirits.  I  am  on  the  hill-top,  and  must  go  down  into  the  valley; 
and  when  Uncas  follows  in  my  footsteps,  there  will  no  longer  be 
any  of  the  blood  of  the  sagamores,  for  my  buy  is  the  last  of  th^ 
Mohicans." 

^TJncas  is  herel"  said  another  voice,  in  the  same  soft,  guttural 
tones,  near  his  elbow;  "who  speaks  to  Uncas?" 

The  white  man  loosened  his  knife  in  his  leathern  sheath,  and 
made  an  involuntary  movement  of  the  hand  towards  his  rifle,  at 


26  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

this  sudden  interruption;  but  the  Indian  sat  composed,  and  with 
out  turning  his  head  at  the  unexpected  sounds. 

At  the  next  instant,  a  youthful  warrior  passed  between  them, 
with  a  noiseless  step,  and  seated  himself  on  the  bank  of  the  rapid 
stream.  No  exclamation  of  surprise  escaped  the  father,  nor  was 
any  question  asked,  or  reply  given,  for  several  minutes;  each 
appearing  to  await  the  moment  when  he  might  speak,  without 
betraying  womanish  curiosity  or  childish  impatience.  The  white 
man  seemed  to  take  counsel  from  their  customs,  and,  relinquish 
ing  his  grasp  of  the  rifle,  he  also  remained  silent  and  reserved. 
At  length  Chingachgook  turned  his  eyes  slowly  towards  his  son, 
and  demanded,— 

"Do  the  Maquas  dare  to  leave  the  print  of  their  moccasins  in 
these  woods?" 

"I  have  been  on  their  trail,"  replied  the  young  Indian,  "and 
know  that  they  number  as  many  as  the  fingers  of  my  two  hands ; 
but  they  lie  hid,  like  cowards." 

"The  thieves  are  out-lying  for  scalps  and  plunder!"  said  the 
white  man,  whom  we  shall  call  Hawkeye,  after  the  manner  of  his 
companions.  "That  bushy  Frenchman,  Montcalm,  will  send  his 
spies  into  our  very  camp,  but  he  will  know  what  road  we  travel!" 
"Tis  enough!"  returned  the  father,  glancing  his  eye  towards 
the  setting  sun;  "they  shall  be  driven  like  deer  from  their  bushes. 
Hawkeye,  let  us  eat  to-night,  and  show  the  Maquas  that  we  are 
men  to-morrow." 

"I  am  as  ready  to  do  the  one  as  the  other;  but  to  fight  the 
Iroquois  'tis  necessary  to  find  the  skulkers ;  and  to  eat,  'tis  neces 
sary  to  get  the  game — talk  of  the  devil  and  he  will  come;  there  is 
a  pair  of  the  biggest  antlers  I  have  seen  this  season,  moving  the 
bushes  below  the  hill!  Now,  Uncas,"  he  continued  in  a  half  whis 
per,  and  laughing  with  a  kind  of  inward  sound,  like  one  who  had 
learnt  to  be  watchful,  "I  will  bet  my  charger  three  times  full  of 
powder,  against  a  foot  of  wampum,  that  I  take  him  atwixt  the 
eyes,  and  nearer  to  the  right  than  to  the  left." 

"It  cannot  be!"  said  the  young  Indian,  springing  to  his  feet 
with  youthful  eagerness;  "all  but  the  tips  of  his  horns  are  hid!" 

"He's  a  boy!"  said  the  white  man,  shaking  his  head  while  he 
spoke,  and  addressing  the  father.  "Does  he  think  when  a  hunter 
sees  a  part  of  the  creatur',  he  can't  tell  where  the  rest  of  him 
should  be!" 

Adjusting  his  rifle,  he  was  about  to  make  an  exhibition  of  that 


right  by  Charles  Scribner's  Sotw 


JNCAS  SLAYS  A   DEER 

Avoiding  the   horns   of  ths  infuriated  animal,   Uncos 
darted  to  his  side,  and  passed  his  knife  across  the  throat 


(j  -  *  7 


UNCAS    SLAVS    A    I1KKK 

Avoiding    the    harm    of  th;    infurijlrj   iiiiiiii.i/.    I'IKM 
Jarle,t  to  his  sije,  ami  pusstj  hh  J^ni/f  tj(  ra*\  tht  ihrout 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  27 

skill,  on  which  he  so  much  valued  himself,  when  the  warrior  struck 
up  the  piece  with  his  hand,  saying — 

"Hawkeye!  will  you  fight  the  Maquas?" 

"These  Indians  know  the  nature  of  the  woods,  as  it  might  be 
by  instinct!"  returned  the  scout,  dropping  his  rifle,  and  turning 
away  like  a  man  who  was  convinced  of  his  error.  "I  must  leave 
the  buck  to  your  arrow,  Uncas,  or  we  may  kill  a  deer  for  them 
thieves,  the  Iroquois,  to  eat." 

The  instant  the  father  seconded  this  intimation  by  an  expres 
sive  gesture  of  the  hand,  Uncas  threw  himself  on  the  ground,  and 
approached  the  animal  with  wary  movements.  When  within  a 
few  yards  of  the  cover,  he  fitted  an  arrow  to  his  bow  with  the 
utmost  care,  while  the  antlers  moved,  as  if  their  owner  snuffed  an 
enemy  in  the  tainted  air.  In  another  moment  the  twang  of  the 
cord  was  heard,  a  white  streak  was  seen  glancing  into  the  bushes, 
and  the  wounded  buck  plunged  from  the  cover,  to  the  very  feet 
of  his  hidden  enemy.  Avoiding  the  horns  of  the  infuriated 
animal,  Uncas  darted  to  his  side,  and  passed  his  knife  across  the 
throat,  when  bounding  to  the  edge  of  the  river  it  fell,  dyeing  the 
waters  with  its  blood. 

'"Twas  done  with  Indian  skill,"  said  the  scout,  laughing  in 
wardly,  but  with  vast  satisfaction;  "and  'twas  a  pretty  sight  to 
behold!  Though  an  arrow  is  a  near  shot,  and  needs  a  knife  to 
finish  the  work." 

"Hugh!"  ejaculated  his  companion,  turning  quickly,  like  a 
hound  who  scented  game. 

"By  the  Lord,  there  is  a  drove  of  them!"  exclaimed  the  scout, 
whose  eyes  began  to  glisten  with  the  ardor  of  his  usual  occupa 
tion;  "if  they  come  within  range  of  a  bullet  I  will  drop  one, 
though  the  whole  Six  Nations  should  be  lurking  within  sound! 
What  do  you  hear,  Chingachgook?  for  to  my  ears  the  woods  are 
dumb." 

"There  is  but  one  deer,  and  he  is  dead,"  said  the  Indian,  bend 
ing  his  body  till  his  ear  nearly  touched  the  earth.  "I  hear  the 
sounds  of  feet!" 

"Perhaps  the  wolves  have  driven  the  buck  to  shelter,  and  are 
following  on  his  trail." 

"No.  The  horses  of  white  men  are  coming!"  returned  the 
other,  raising  himself  with  dignity,  and  resuming  his  seat  on  the 
log  with  his  former  composure.  "Hawkeye,  they  are  your  broth 
ers;  speak  to  them." 


28  THE   LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS 

"That  will  I,  and  in  English  that  the  king  needn't  be  ashamed 
to  answer,"  returned  the  hunter,  speaking  in  the  language  of 
which  he  boasted ;  "but  I  see  nothing,  nor  do  I  hear  the  sounds  of 
man  or  beast ;  'tis  strange  that  an  Indian  should  understand  white 
sounds  better  than  a  man  who,  his  very  enemies  will  own,  has  no 
cross  in  his  blood,  although  he  may  have  lived  with  the  redskins 
long  enough  to  be  suspected  1  Ha!  there  goes  something  like  the 
cracking  of  a  dry  stick,  too — now  I  hear  the  bushes  move — yes, 
yes,  there  is  a  trampling  that  I  mistook  for  the  falls — and — but 
here  they  come  themselves;  God  keep  them  from  the  Iroquois!" 


CHAPTER  IV. 

"Well,   go  thy  way:  them  shall  not  from  this  grove 
Till   I   torment  thee  for  this  injury." 

Midtummer  Night's  Dream, 

THE  words  were  still  in  the  mouth  of  the  scout,  when  the  leader  of 
the  party,  whose  approaching  footsteps  had  caught  the  vigilant 
ear  of  the  Indian,  came  openly  into  view.  A  beaten  path,  such  as 
those  made  by  the  periodical  passage  of  the  deer,  wound  through 
a  little  glen  at  no  great  distance,  and  struck  the  river  at  the  point 
where  the  white  man  and  his  red  companions  had  posted  them 
selves.  Along  this  track  the  travellers,  who  had  produced  a  sur 
prise  so  unusual  in  the  depths  of  the  forest,  advanced  slowly 
towards  the  hunter,  who  was  in  front  of  his  associates,  in  readiness 
to  receive  them. 

"Who  comes?"  demanded  the  scout,  throwing  his  rifle  care 
lessly  across  his  left  arm,  and  keeping  the  forefinger  of  his  right 
hand  on  the  trigger,  though  he  avoided  all  appearance  of  menace 
in  the  act,  "Who  comes  hither,  among  the  beasts  and  dangers  of 
the  wilderness?" 

"Believers  in  religion,  and  friends  to  the  law  and  to  the  king," 
returned  he  who  rode  foremost.  "Men  who  have  journeyed  since 
the  rising  sun,  in  the  shades  of  this  forest,  without  nourishment, 
and  are  sadly  tired  of  their  wayfaring." 

"You  are,  then,  lost,"  interrupted  the  hunter,  "and  have 
found  how  helpless  'tis  not  to  know  whether  to  take  the  right  hand 
or  the  left?" 

"Even  so ;  sucking  babes  are  not  more  dependent  on  those  who 
guide  them  than  we  who  are  of  larger  growth,  and  who  may  now 
be  said  to  possess  the  stature  without  the  knowledge  of  men. 
Know  you  the  distance  to  a  post  of  the  crown  called  William 
Henry?" 

"Hoot!"  shouted  the  scout,  who  did  not  spare  his  open  laugh 
ter,  though,  instantly  checking  the  dangerous  sounds,  he  indulged 
his  merriment  at  less  risk  of  being  overheard  by  any  lurking  ene- 

29 


30  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

mies.  "You  are  as  much  off  the  scent  as  a  hound  would  be,  with 
Horican  atwixt  him  and  the  deer!  William  Henry,  man!  if  you 
are  friends  to  the  king,  and  have  business  with  the  army,  your 
better  way  would  be  to  follow  the  river  down  to  Edward,  and  lay 
the  matter  before  Webb;  who  tarries  there,  instead  of  pushing 
into  the  defiles,  and  driving  this  saucy  Frenchman  back  across 
Champlain,  into  his  den  again." 

Before  the  stranger  could  make  any  reply  to  this  unexpected 
proposition,  another  horseman  dashed  the  bushes  aside,  and 
leaped  his  charger  into  the  pathway,  in  front  of  his  companion. 

"What,  then,  may  be  our  distance  from  Fort  Edward?"  de 
manded  a  new  speaker;  "the  place  you  advise  us  to  seek  we  left 
this  morning,  and  our  destination  is  the  head  of  the  lake." 

"Then  you  must  have  lost  your  eyesight  afore  losing  your 
way,  for  the  road  across  the  portage  is  cut  to  a  good  two  rods, 
and  is  as  grand  a  path,  I  calculate,  as  any  that  runs  into  London, 
or  even  before  the  palace  of  the  king  himself." 

"We  will  not  dispute  concerning  the  excellence  of  the  pas 
sage,"  returned  Heyward,  smiling;  for,  as  the  reader  has  antici 
pated,  it  was  he.  "It  is  enough,  for  the  present,  that  we  trusted 
to  an  Indian  guide  to  take  us  by  a  nearer,  though  blinder  path, 
and  that  we  are  deceived  in  his  knowledge.  In  plain  words,  we 
know  not  where  we  are." 

"An  Indian  lost  in  the  woods!"  said  the  scout,  shaking  his 
head  doubtingly ;  "when  the  sun  is  scorching  the  tree-tops,  and  the 
water-courses  are  full ;  when  the  moss  on  every  beech  he  sees,  will 
tell  him  in  which  quarter  the  north  star  will  shine  at  night !  The 
woods  are  full  of  deer  paths  which  run  to  the  streams  and  licks, 
places  well  known  to  everybody;  nor  have  the  geese  done  their 
flight  to  the  Canada  waters  altogether!  'Tis  strange  that  an  In 
dian  should  be  lost  atwixt  Horican  and  the  bend  in  the  river.  Is 
he  a  Mohawk?" 

"Not  by  birth,  though  adopted  in  that  tribe;  I  think  his  birth 
place  was  farther  north,  and  he  is  one  of  those  you  call  a  Huron." 

"Hugh!"  exclaimed  the  two  companions  of  the  scout,  who 
had  continued,  until  this  part  of  the  dialogue,  seated  immovable, 
and  apparently  indifferent  to  what  passed,  but  who  now  sprang 
to  their  feet  with  an  activit}r  and  interest  that  had  evidently  got 
the  better  of  their  reserve,  by  surprise. 

"A  Huron !"  repeated  the  sturdy  scout,  once  more  shaking  his 
head  in  open  distrust;  "they  are  a  thievish  race,  nor  do  I  care  by 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  31 

whom  they  are  adopted;  you  can  never  make  anything  of  them 
but  skulks  and  vagabonds.  Since  you  trusted  yourself  to  the 
care  of  one  of  that  nation,  I  only  wonder  that  you  have  not  fallen 
in  with  more." 

"Of  that  there  is  little  danger,  since  William  Henry  is  so 
many  miles  in  our  front.  You  forget  that  I  have  told  you  our 
guide  is  now  a  Mohawk,  and  that  he  serves  with  our  forces  as  a 
friend." 

"And  I  tell  you  that  he  who  is  born  a  Mingo  will  die  a 
Mingo,"  returned  the  other,  positively.  "A  Mohawk!  No,  give 
me  a  Delaware  or  a  Mohican  for  honesty;  and  when  they  will 
fight,  which  they  won't  all  do,  having  suffered  their  cunning  ene 
mies,  the  Maquas,  to  make  them  women — but  when  they  will  fight 
at  all,  look  to  a  Delaware,  or  a  Mohican,  for  a  warrior  1" 

"Enough  of  this,"  said  Heyward,  impatiently;  "I  wish  not  to 
inquire  into  the  character  of  a  man  that  I  know,  and  to  whom  you 
must  be  a  stranger.  You  have  not  yet  answered  my  question: 
what  is  our  distance  from  the  main  army  at  Edward?" 

"It  seems  that  may  depend  on  who  is  your  guide.  One  would 
think  such  a  horse  as  that  might  get  over  a  good  deal  of  ground 
atwixt  sun-up  and  sun-down." 

"I  wish  no  contention  of  idle  words  with  you,  friend,"  said 
Heyward,  curbing  his  dissatisfied  manner,  and  speaking  in  a 
more  gentle  voice;  "if  you  will  tell  me  the  distance  to  Fort  Ed 
ward,  and  conduct  me  thither,  your  labor  shall  not  go  without  its 
reward." 

"And  in  so  doing,  how  know  I  that  I  don't  guide  an  enemy, 
and  a  spy  of  Montcalm,  to  the  works  of  the  army?  It  is  not  every 
man  Avho  can  speak  the  English  tongue  that  is  an  honest  subject." 

"If  you  serve  with  the  troops,  of  whom  I  judge  you  to  be  a 
scout,  you  should  know  of  such  a  regiment  of  the  king  as  the 
60th." 

"The  60th!  you  can  tell  me  little  of  the  Royal  Americans  that 
I  don't  know,  though  I  do  wear  a  hunting-shirt  instead  of  a  scar 
let  jacket." 

"Well,  then,  among  the  other  things,  you  may  know  the  name 
of  its  major?" 

"Its  major!"  interrupted  the  hunter,  elevating  his  body  like 
one  who  was  proud  of  his  trust.  "If  there  is  a  man  in  the  country 
who  knows  Major  Effingham,  he  stands  before  you." 

"It  is  a  corps  which  has  many  majors;  the  gentleman  you 


32  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

name  is  the  senior,  but  I  speak  of  the  junior  of  them  all;  he  who 
commands  the  companies  in  garrison  at  William  Henry." 

"Yes,  yes,  I  have  heard  that  a  young  gentleman  of  vast  riches, 
from  one  of  the  provinces  far  south,  has  got  the  place.  He  is  over 
young,  too,  to  hold  such  rank,  and  to  be  put  above  men  whose 
heads  are  beginning  to  bleach ;  and  yet  they  say  he  is  a  soldier  in 
his  knowledge,  and  a  gallant  gentleman  I" 

"Whatever  he  may  be,  or  however  he  may  be  qualified  for  his 
rank,  he  now  speaks  to  you,  and  of  course  can  be  no  enemy  to 
dread." 

The  scout  regarded  Heyward  in  surprise,  and  then  lifting  his 
cap,  he  answered,  in  a  tone  less  confident  than  before,  though  still 
expressing  doubt, — 

"I  have  heard  a  party  was  to  leave  the  encampment  this 
morning,  for  the  lake  shore." 

"You  have  heard  the  truth;  but  I  preferred  a  nearer  route, 
trusting  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Indian  I  mentioned." 

"And  he  deceived  you,  and  then  deserted?" 

"Neither,  as  I  believe;  certainly  not  the  latter,  for  he  is  to  be 
found  in  the  rear." 

"I  should  like  to  look  at  the  creatur' ;  if  it  is  a  true  Iroquois  I 
can  tell  him  by  his  knavish  look,  and  by  his  paint,"  said  the  scout, 
stepping  past  the  charger  of  Heyward,  and  entering  the  path 
behind  the  mare  of  the  singing-master,  whose  foal  had  taken 
advantage  of  the  halt  to  exact  the  maternal  contribution.  After 
shoving  aside  the  bushes,  and  proceeding  a  few  paces,  he  encoun 
tered  the  females,  who  awaited  the  result  of  the  conference  with 
anxiety,  and  not  entirely  without  apprehension.  Behind  these, 
the  runner  leaned  against  a  tree,  where  he  stood  the  close  ex 
amination  of  the  scout  with  an  air  unmoved,  though  with  a  look 
so  dark  and  savage,  that  it  might  in  itself  excite  fear.  Satisfied 
with  his  scrutiny,  the  hunter  soon  left  him.  As  he  repassed  the 
females,  he  paused  a  moment  to  gaze  upon  their  beauty,  answer 
ing  to  the  smile  and  nod  of  Alice  with  a  look  of  open  pleasure. 
Thence  he  went  to  the  side  of-  the  motherly  animal,  and  spending 
a  minute  in  a  fruitless  inquiry  into  the  character  of  her  rider,  he 
shook  his  head  and  returned  to  Heyward. 

"A  Mingo  is  a  Mingo,  and  God  having  made  him  so,  neither 
the  Mohawks  nor  any  other  tribe  can  alter  him,"  he  said,  when 
he  had  regained  his  former  position.  "If  we  were  alone,  and  you 
would  leave  that  noble  horse  at  the  mercy  of  the  wolves  to-night, 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  33 

I  could  show  you  the  way  to  Edward,  myself,  within  an  hour,  for 
it  lies  only  about  an  hour's  journey  hence;  but  with  such  ladies  in 
your  company  'tis  impossible!" 

"And  why?  they  are  fatigued,  but  they  are  quite  equal  to  a 
ride  of  a  few  more  miles." 

"  'Tis  a-natural  impossibility!"  repeated  the  scout;  "I  wouldn't 
walk  a  mile  in  these  woods  after  night  gets  into  them,  in  com 
pany  with  that  runner,  for  the  best  rifle  in  the  colonies.  They 
are  full  of  outlying  Iroquois,  and  your  mongrel  Mohawk  knows 
where  to-  find  them  too  well,  to  be  my  companion." 

"Think  you  so?"  said  Heyward,  leaning  forward  in  the  saddle, 
and  dropping  his  voice  nearly  to  a  whisper;  "I  confess  I  have  not 
been  without  my  own  suspicions,  though  I  have  endeavored  to 
conceal  them,  and  affected  a  confidence  I  have  not  always  felt, 
on  account  of  my  companions.  It  was  because  I  suspected  him 
that  I  would  follow  no  longer;  making  him,  as  you  see,  follow 


me." 


"I  knew  he  was  one  of  the  cheats  as  soon  as  I  laid  eyes  on 
him!"  returned  the  scout,  placing  a  finger  on  his  nose,  in  sign  of 
caution.  "The  thief  is  leaning  against  the  foot  of  the  sugar 
sapling,  that  you  can  see  over  them  bushes;  his  right  leg  is  in  a 
line  with  the  bark  of  the  tree,  and,"  tapping  his  rifle,  "I  can  take 
him  from  where  I  stand,  between  the  ankle  and  the  knee,  with  a 
single  shot,  putting  an  end  to  his  tramping  through  the  woods, 
for  at  least  a  month  to  come.  If  I  should  go  back  to  him,  the 
cunning  varmint  would  suspect  something,  and  be  dodging 
through  the  trees  like  a  frightened  deer." 

"It  will  not  do.  He  may  be  innocent,  and  I  dislike  the  act. 
Though,  if  I  felt  confident  of  his  treachery — " 

"  'Tis  a  safe  thing  to  calculate  on  the  knavery  of  an  Iro 
quois-,"  said  the  scout,  throwing  his  rifle  forward,  by  a  sort  of 
instinctive  movement. 

"Hold!"  interrupted  Heyward,  "it  will  not  do — we  must 
think  of  some  other  scheme ;  and  yet,  I  have  much  reason  to  be 
lieve  the  rascal  has  deceived  me." 

The  hunter,  who  had  already  abandoned  his  intention  of 
maiming  the  runner,  mused  a  moment,  and  then  made  a  gesture, 
which  instantly  brought  his  two  red  companions  to  his  side.  They 
spoke  together  earnestly  in  the  Delaware  language,  though  in  an 
undertone;  and  by  the  gestures  of  the  white  man,  which  were 
frequently  directed  towards  the  top  of  the  sapling,  it  was  evident 


34  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

he  pointed  out  the  situation  of  their  hidden  enemy.  His  com 
panions  were  not  long  in  comprehending  his  wishes,  and  laying 
aside  their  fire-arms,  they  parted,  taking  opposite  sides  of  the 
path,  and  burying  themselves  in  the  thicket,  with  such  cautious 
movements,  that  their  steps  were  inaudible. 

"Now,  go  you  back,"  said  the  hunter,  speaking  again  to 
Heyward,  "and  hold  the  imp  in  talk;  these  Mohicans  here  will 
take  him  without  breaking  his  paint." 

"Nay,"  said  Heyward,  proudly,  "I  will  seize  him  myself." 

"Hist!  what  could  you  do,  mounted,  against  an  Indian  in  the 
bushes?" 

"I  will  dismount." 

"And,  think  you,  when  he  saw  one  of  your  feet  out  of  the 
stirrup,  he  would  wait  for  the  other  to  be  free?  Whoever  comes 
into  the  woods  to  deal  with  the  natives,  must  use  Indian  fashions, 
if  he  would  wish  to  prosper  in  his  undertakings.  Go,  then,  talk 
openly  to  the  miscreant,  and  seem  to  believe  him  the  truest  friend 
you  have  on  'arth." 

Heyward  prepared  to  comply,  though  with  strong  disgust  at 
the  nature  of  the  office  he  was  compelled  to  execute.  Each  mo 
ment,  however,  pressed  upon  him  a  conviction  of  the  critical 
situation  in  which  he  had  suffered  his  invaluable  trust  to  be  in 
volved  through  his  own  confidence.  The  sun  had  already  dis 
appeared,  and  the  woods,  suddenly  deprived  pf  his  light, l  were 
assuming  a  dusky  hue,  which  keenly  reminded  him  that  the  hour 
the  savage  usually  chose  for  his  most  barbarous  and  remorseless 
acts  of  vengeance  or  hostility,  was  speedily  drawing  near.  Stim 
ulated  by  apprehension,  he  left  the  scout,  who  immediately  en 
tered  into  a  loud  conversation  with  the  stranger  that  had  so 
unceremoniously  enlisted  himself  in  the  party  of  travellers  that 
morning.  In  passing  his  gentler  companions  Heyward  uttered 
a  few  words  of  encouragement,  and  was  pleased  to  find  that, 
though  fatigued  with  the  exercise  of  the  day,  they  appeared  to 
entertain  no  suspicion  that  their  present  embarrassment  was 
other  than  the  result  of  accident.  Giving  them  reason  to  believe 
he  was  merely  employed  in  a  consultation  concerning  the  future 
route,  he  spurred  his  charger,  and  drew  the  reins  again,  when 
the  animal  had  carried  him  within  a  few  yards  of  the  place  where 
the  sullen  runner  still  stood,  leaning  against  the  tree. 

i  The  scene  of  this  tale  was  in  the  42d  degree  of  latitude,  where  the  twilight  is  never 
of  long  continuance. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  35 

"You  may  see,  Magua,"  he  said,  endeavoring  to  assume  an 
air  of  freedom  and  confidence,  "that  the  night  is  closing  around 
us,  and  yet  we  are  no  nearer  to  William  Henry  than  when  we 
left  the  encampment  of  Webb  with  the  rising  sun.  You  have 
missed  the  way,  nor  have  I  been  more  fortunate.  But,  happily 
we  have  fallen  in  with  a  hunter,  he  whom  you  hear  talking  to 
the  singer,  that  is  acquainted  with  the  deer-paths  and  by-ways  of 
the  woods,  and  who  promises  to  lead  us  to  a  place  where  we  may 
rest  securely  till  the  morning." 

The  Indian  riveted  his  glowing  eyes  on  Heyward  as  he 
asked,  in  his  imperfect  English,  "Is  he  alone?" 

"Alone!"  hesitatingly  answered  Heyward  to  whom  deception 
was  too  new  to  be  assumed  without  embarrassment.  "O !  not 
alone,  surely,  Magua,  for  you  know  that  we  are  with  him." 

"Then  Le  Renard  Subtil  will  go,"  returned  the  runner,  coolly 
raising  his  little  wallet  from  the  place  where  it  had  lain  at  his 
feet;  "and  the  pale-faces  will  see  none  but  their  own  color." 

"Go!    Whom  call  you  Le  Renard?" 

"  'Tis  the  name  his  Canada  fathers  have  given  to  Magua," 
returned  the  runner,  with  an  air  that  manifested  his  pride  at 
the  distinction.  "Night  is  the  same  as  day  to  Le  Subtil,  when 
Munro  waits  for  him." 

"And  what  account  will  Le  Renard  give  the  chief  of  William 
Henry  concerning  his  daughters?  Will  he  dare  to  tell  the  hot- 
blooded  Scotsman  that  his  children  are  left  without  a  guide, 
though  Magua  promised  to  be  one?" 

"Though  the  gray  head  has  a  loud  voice,  and  a  long  arm, 
Le  Renard  will  not  hear  him,  or  feel  him,  in  the  woods." 

"But  what  will  the  Mohawks  say?  They  will  make  him  petti 
coats,  and  bid  him  stay  in  the  wigwam  with  the  women,  for  he  is 
no  longer  to  be  trusted  with  the  business  of  a  man." 

"Le  Subtil  knows  the  path  to  the  great  lakes,  and  he  can  find 
the  bones  of  his  fathers,"  was  the  answer  of  the  unmoved  runner. 

"Enough,  Magua,"  said  Heyward;  "are  we  not  friends? 
Why  should  there  be  bitter  words  between  us?  Munro  has  prom 
ised  you  a  gift  for  your  services  when  performed,  and  I  shall  be 
your  debtor  for  another.  Rest  your  weary  limbs,  then,  and  open 
your  wallet  to  eat.  We  have  a  few  moments  to  spare;  let  us  not 
waste  them  in  talk  like  wrangling  women.  When  the  ladies  are 
refreshed  we  will  proceed." 

"The  pale-faces  make  themselves  dogs  to  their  women,"  mut- 


36  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

tered  the  Indian,  in  his  native  language,  "and  when  they  want 
to  eat,  their  warriors  must  lay  aside  the  tomahawk  to  feed  their 
laziness." 

"What  say  you,  Renard?" 

"Le  Subtil  says  it  is  good." 

The  Indian  then  fastened  his  eyes  keenly  on  the  open  counte 
nance  of  Heyward,  but  meeting  his  glance,  he  turned  them 
quickly  away,  and  seating  himself  deliberately  on  the  ground,  he 
drew  forth  the  remnant  of  some  former  repast,  and  began  to  eat, 
though  not  without  first  bending  his  looks  slowly  and  cautiously 
around  him. 

"This  is  well,"  continued  Heyward;  "and  Le  Renard  will 
have  strength  and  sight  to  find  the  path  in  the  morning;"  he 
paused,  for  sounds  like  the  snapping  of  a  dried  stick,  and  the 
rustling  of  leaves,  rose  from  the  adjacent  bushes,  but  recollecting 
himself  instantly,  he  continued, — "we  must  be  moving  before 
the  sun  is  seen,  or  Montcalm  may  lie  in  our  path,  and  shut  us  out 
from  the  fortress." 

The  hand  of  Magua  dropped  from  his  mouth  to  his  side,  and 
though  his  eyes  were  fastened  on  the  ground,  his  head  was  turned 
aside,  his  nostrils  expanded,  and  his  ears  seemed  even  to  stand 
more  erect  than  usual,  giving  to  him  the  appearance  of  a  statue 
that  was  made  to  represent  intense  attention. 

Heyward,  who  watched  his  movements  with  a  vigilant  eye, 
carelessly  extricated  one  of  his  feet  from  the  stirrup,  while  he 
passed  a  hand  towards  the  bear-skin  covering  of  his  holsters. 
Every  effort  to  detect  the  point  most  regarded  by  the  runner  was 
completely  frustrated  by  the  tremulous  glances  of  his  organs, 
which  seemed  not  to  rest  a  single  instant  on  any  particular  object, 
and  which,  at  the  same  time,  could  be  hardly  said  to  move.  While 
he  hesitated  how  to  proceed,  Le  Subtil  cautiously  raised  himself 
to  his  feet,  though  with  a  motion  so  slow  and  guarded,  that  not 
the  slightest  noise  was  produced  by  the  change.  Heyward  felt  it 
had  now  become  incumbent  on  him  to  act.  Throwing  his  leg 
over  the  saddle,  he  dismounted,  with  a  determination  to  advance 
and  seize  his  treacherous  companion,  trusting  the  result  to  his 
own  manhood.  In  order,  however,  to  prevent  unnecessary  alarm, 
he  still  preserved  an  air  of  calmness  and  friendship. 

"Le  Renard  Subtil  does  not  eat,"  he  said,  using  the  appella 
tion  he  had  found  most  flattering  to  the  vanity  of  the  Indian. 
His  corn  is  not  well  parched,  and  it  seems  dry.  Let  me  examine; 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  37 

perhaps  something  may  be  found  among  my  own  provisions  that 
will  help  his  appetite." 

Magua  held  out  the  wallet  to  the  proffer  of  the  other.  He 
even  suffered  their  hands  to  meet,  without  betraying  the  least 
emotion,  or  varying  his  riveted  attitude  of  attention.  But  when 
he  felt  the  fingers  of  Heyward  moving  gently  along  his  own 
naked  arm,  he  struck  up  the  limb  of  the  young  man,  and  uttering 
a  piercing  cry  as  he  darted  beneath  it,  plunged,  at  a  single  bound, 
into  the  opposite  thicket.  At  the  next  instant  the  form  of 
Chingachgook  appeared  from  the  bushes,  looking  like  a  spectre  in 
its  paint,  and  glided  across  the  path  in  swift  pursuit.  Next  fol 
lowed  the  shout  of  Uncas,  when  the  woods  were  lighted  by  a 
sudden  flash,  that  was  accompanied  by  the  sharp  report  of  the 
hunter's  rifle. 


CHAPTER   V. 

"In  such  a  night 

Did   Thisbe   fearfully   o'ertrip  the   dew; 
And  saw  the  lion's  shadow  ere  himself." 

Merchant  of  Venice. 

THE  suddenness  of  the  flight  of  his  guide,  and  the  wild  cries  of 
the  pursuers,  caused  Heyward  to  remain  fixed,  for  a  few  mo 
ments,  in  inactive  surprise.  Then  recollecting  the  importance  of 
securing  the  fugitive,  he  dashed  aside  the  surrounding  bushes,  and 
pressed  eagerly  forward  to  lend  his  aid  in  the  chase.  Before  he 
had,  however,  proceeded  a  hundred  yards,  he  met  the  three  forest 
ers  already  returning  from  their  unsuccessful  pursuit. 

"Why  so  soon  disheartened!"  he  exclaimed;  "the  scoundrel 
must  be  concealed  behind  some  of  these  trees,  and  may  yet  be 
secured.  We  are  not  safe  while  he  goes  at  large." 

"Would  you  set  a  cloud  to  chase  the  wind?"  returned  the 
disappointed  scout;  "I  heard  the  imp,  brushing  over  the  dry 
leaves,  like  a  black  snake,  and  blinking  a  glimpse  of  him,  just 
over  ag'in  yon  big  pine,  I  pulled  as  it  might  be  on  the  scent;  but 
'twouldn't  do!  and  yet  for  a  reasoning  aim,  if  anybody  but 
myself  had  touched  the  trigger,  I  should  call  it  a  quick  sight;  and 
I  may  be  accounted  to  have  experience  in  these  matters,  and  one 
who  ought  to  know.  Look  at  this  sumach;  its  leaves  are  red, 
though  everybody  knows  the  fruit  is  in  the  yellow  blossom,  in  the 
month  of  July!" 

'Tis  the  blood  of  Le  Subtil!  he  is  hurt,  and  may  yet  fall!" 

"No,  no,"  returned  the  scout,  in  decided  disapprobation  of 
this  opinion,  "I  rubbed  the  bark  off  a  limb,  perhaps,  but  the 
creature  leaped  the  longer  for  it.  A  rifle-bullet  acts  on  a  running 
animal,  when  it  barks  him,  much  the  same  as  one  of  your  spurs 
on  a  horse ;  that  is,  it  quickens  motion,  and  puts  life  into  the  flesh, 
instead  of  taking  it  away.  But  when  it  cuts  the  ragged  hole, 
after  a  bound  or  two,  there  is,  commonly,  a  stagnation  of  further 
leaping,  be  it  Indian  or  be  it  deer!" 

"We  are  four  able  bodies,  to  one  wounded  man!" 

38 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  39 

"Is  life  grievous  to  you?''  interrupted  the  scout.  "Yonder 
red  devils  would  draw  you  within  swing  of  the  tomahawks  of  his 
comrades,  before  you  were  heated  in  the  chase.  It  was  an  un- 
thoughtful  act  in  a  man  who  has  so  often  slept  with  the  war-whoop 
ringing  in  the  air,  to  let  off  his  piece  within  sound  of  an  ambush- 
ment!  But  then  it  was  a  natural  temptation!  'twas  very  natural! 
Come,  friends,  let  us  move  our  station,  and  in  such  a  fashion,  too, 
as  will  throw  the  cunning  of  a  Mingo  on  a  wrong  scent,  or  our 
scalps  will  be  drying  in  the  wind  in  front  of  Montcalm's  marquee, 
ag'in  this  hour  to-morrow." 

This  appalling  declaration,  which  the  scout  uttered  with  the 
cool  assurance  of  a  man  who  fully  comprehended,  while  he  did  not 
fear  to  face  the  danger,  served  to  remind  Heyward  of  the  impor 
tance  of  the  charge  with  which  he  himself  had  been  intrusted. 
Glancing  his  eyes  around,,  with  a  vain  effort  to  pierce  the  gloom 
that  was  thickening  beneath  the  leafy  arches  of  the  forest,  he  felt 
as  if,  cut  off  from  human  aid,  his  unresisting  companions  would 
soon  lie  at  the  entire  mercy  of  those  barbarous  enemies,  who,  like 
beasts  of  prey,  only  waited  till  the  gathering  darkness  might  ren 
der  their  blows  more  fatally  certain.  His  awakened  imagination, 
deluded  by  the  deceptive  light,  converted  each  waving  bush,  or 
the  fragment  of  some  fallen  tree,  into  human  forms,  and  twenty 
times  he  fancied  he  could  distinguish  the  horrid  visages  of  his 
lurking  foes,  peering  from  their  hiding-places,  in  never-ceasing 
watchfulness  of  the  movements  of  his  party.  Looking  upward, 
he  found  that  the  thin  fleecy  clouds,  which  evening  had  painted  on 
the  blue  sky,  were  already  losing  their  faintest  tints  of  rose-color, 
while  the  imbedded  stream,  which  glided  past  the  spot  where  he 
stood,  was  to  be  traced  only  by  the  dark  boundary  of  its  wooded 
banks. 

"What  is  to  be  done?"  he  said,  feeling  the  utter  helplessness 
of  doubt  in  such  a  pressing  strait;  "desert  me  not,  for  God's  sake! 
remam  to  defend  those  I  escort,  and  freely  name  your  own 
reward !" 

His  companions,  who  conversed  apart  in  the  language  of  their 
tribe,  heeded  not  this  sudden  and  earnest  appeal.  Though  their 
dialogue  was  maintained  in  low  and  cautious  sounds,  but  little 
above  a  whisper,  Heyward,  who  now  approached,  could  easily 
distinguish  the  earnest  tones  of  the  younger  warrior  from  the 
more  deliberate  speeches  of  his  seniors.  It  was  evident  that  they 
debated  on  the  propriety  of  some  measure  that  nearly  concerned 


40  THE   LAST   OF,   THE   MOHICANS 

the  welfare  of  the  travellers.  Yielding  to  his  powerful  interest 
in  the  subject,  and  impatient  of  a  delay  that  seemed  fraught  with 
so  much  additional  danger,  Heyward  drew  still  nigher  to  the 
dusky  group,  with  an  intention  of  making  his  offers  of  compensa 
tion  more  definite,  when  the  white  man,  motioning,  with  his  hand, 
as  if  he  conceded  the  disputed  point,  turned  away,  saying  in  a 
sort  of  soliloquy,  and  in  the  English  tongue, — 

"Uncas  is  right!  it  would  not  be  the  act  of  men  to  leave  such 
harmless  things  to  their  fate,  even  though  it  breaks  up  the  harbor 
ing  place  forever.  If  you  would  save  these  tender  blossoms  from 
the  fangs  of  the  worst  of  sarpents,  gentleman,  you  have  neither 
time  to  lose  nor  resolution  to  throw  awayi" 

"How.  can  such  a  wish  be  doubted!  have  I  not  already 
offered—'"' 

"Offer  your  prayers  to  Him  who  can  give  us  wisdom  to  cir 
cumvent  the  cunning  of  the  devils  who  fill  these  woods,"  calmly 
interrupted  the  scout,  "but  spare  your  offers  of  money,  which 
neither  you  may  live  to  realize,  nor  I  to  profit  by.  These  Mohi 
cans  and  I  will  do  what  man's  thoughts  can  invent,  to  keep  such 
flowers,  which,  though  so  sweet,  were  never  made  for  the  wilder 
ness,  from  harm,  and  that  without  hope  of  any  other  recompense 
but  such  as  God  always  gives  to  upright  dealings.  First,  you 
must  promise  two  things,  both  in  your  own  name  and  for  your 
friends,  or  without  serving  you,  we  shall  only  injure  ourselves!" 

"Name  them." 

"The  one  is,  to  be  still  as  these  sleeping  woods,  let  what  will 
happen;  and  the  other  is,  to  keep  the  place  where  we  shall  take 
you,  forever  a  secret  from  all  mortal  men." 

"I  will  do  my  utmost  to  see  both  these  conditions  fulfilled." 

"Then  follow,  for  we  are  losing  moments  that  are  as  precious 
as  the  heart's  blood  to  a  stricken  deerl" 

Heyward  could  distinguish  the  impatient  gesture  of  the  scout, 
through  the  increasing  shadows  of  the  evening,  and  he  moved  in 
his  footsteps,  swiftly,  towards  the  place  where  he  had  left  the 
remainder  of  his  party.  When  they  rejoined  the  expecting  and 
anxious  females,  he  briefly  acquainted  them  with  the  conditions 
of  their  new  guide,  and  with  the  necessity  that  existed  for  their 
hushing  every  apprehension,  in  instant  and  serious  exertions. 
Although  his  alarming  communication  was  not  received  without 
much  secret  terror  by  the  listeners,  his  earnest  and  impressive 
manner,  aided  perhaps  by  the  nature  of  the  danger,  succeeded  in 


THE   LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS  41 

bracing  their  nerves  to  undergo  some  unlooked-for  and  unusual 
trial.  Silently,  and  without  a  moment's  delay,  they  permitted 
him  to  assist  them  from  their  saddles,  when  they  descended  quick 
ly  to  the  water's  edge,  where  the  scout  had  collected  the  rest  of 
the  party,  more  by  the  agency  of  expressive  gestures  than  by  any 
use  of  words. 

"What  to  do  with  these  dumb  creatures!"  muttered  the  white 
man,  on  whom  the  sole  control  of  their  future  movements  ap 
peared  to  devolve;  "it  would  be  time  lost  to  cut  their  throats,  and 
cast  them  into  the  river ;  and  to  leave  them  here,  would  be  to  tell 
the  Mingos  that  they  have  not  far  to  seek  to  find  their  owners  1" 

"Then  give  them  their  bridles,  and  let  them  range  the  woods," 
Heyward  ventured  to  suggest. 

"No;  it  would  be  better  to  mislead  the  imps,  and  make  them 
believe  they  must  equal  a  horse's  speed  to  run  down  their  chase. 
Ay,  ay,  that  will  blind  their  fire-balls  of  eyes!  Chingach — Hist? 
what  stirs  the  bush?" 

"The  colt." 

"That  colt,  at  least,  must  die,"  muttered  the  scout,  grasping 
the  mane  of  the  nimble  beast,  which  easily  eluded  his  hand;  "Un- 
cas,  your  arrows!" 

"Hold!"  exclaimed  the  proprietor  of  the  condemned  animal, 
aloud,  without  regard  to  the  whispering  tones  used  by  the  others ; 
"spare  the  foal  of  Miriam !  it  is  the  comely  offspring  of  a  faithful 
dam,  and  would  willingly  injure  naught." 

"When  men  struggle  for  the  single  life  God  has  given  them," 
said  the  scout  sternly,  "even  their  own  kind  seem  no  more  than 
the  beasts  of  the  wood.  If  you  speak  again,  I  shall  leave  you  to 
the  mercy  of  the  Maquas!  Draw  to  your  arrow's  head,  Uncas; 
we  have  no  time  for  second  blows." 

The  low,  muttering  sounds  of  his  threatening  voice  were  still 
audible,  when  the  wounded  foal,  first  rearing  on  its  hinder  legs, 
plunged  forward  to  its  knees.  It  was  met  by  Chingachgook, 
whose  knife  passed  across  its  throat  quicker  than  thought,  and 
then  precipitating  the  motions  of  the  struggling  victim,  he  dashed 
it  into  the  river,  down  whose  stream  it  glided  away,  gasping 
audibly  for  breath  with  its  ebbing  life.  This  deed  of  apparent 
cruelty,  but  of  real  necessity,  fell  upon  the  spirits  of  the  travellers 
like  a  terrific  warning  of  the  peril  in  which  they  stood,  heightened 
as  it  was  by  the  calm  though  steady  resolution  of  the  actors  in  the 
scene.  The  sisters  shuddered  and  clung  closer  to  each  other, 


42  THE    LAST    OF   THE    MOHICANS 

while  Heyward  instinctively  laid  his  hand  on  one  of  the  pistols 
he  had  just  drawn  from  their  holsters,  as  he  placed  himself  be 
tween  his  charge  and  those  dense  shadows  that  seemed  to  draw  an 
impenetrable  veil  before  the  bosom  of  the  forest. 

The  Indians,  however,  hesitated  not  a  moment,  but  taking  the 
bridles,  they  led  the  frightened  and  reluctant  horses  into  the  bed 
of  the  river. 

At  a  short  distance  from  the  shore  they  turned,  and  were  soon 
concealed  by  the  projection  of  the  bank,  under  the  brow  of  which 
they  moved,  in  a  direction  opposite  to  the  course  of  the  waters. 
In  the  meantime,  the  scout  drew  a  canoe  of  bark  from  its  place  of 
concealment  beneath  some  low  bushes,  whose  branches  were  wav 
ing  with  the  eddies  of  the  current,  into  which  he  silently  motioned 
for  the  females  to  enter.  They  complied  without  hesitation, 
though  many  a  fearful  and  anxious  glance  was  thrown  behind 
them  towards  the  thickening  gloom  which  now  lay  like  a  dark 
barrier  along  the  margin  of  the  stream. 

So  soon  as  Cora  and  Alice  were  seated,  the  scout,  without 
regarding  the  element,  directed  Heyward  to  support  one  side 
of  the  frail  vessel,  and  posting  himself  at  the  other,  they  bore  it 
up  against  the  stream,  followed  by  the  dejected  owner  of  the 
dead  foal.  In  this  manner  they  proceeded,  for  many  rods,  in  a 
silence  that  was  only  interrupted  by  the  rippling  of  the  water, 
as  its  eddies  played  around  them,  or  the  low  dash  made  by  their 
own  cautious  footsteps.  Heyward  yielded  the  guidance  of  the 
canoe  implicitly  to  the  scout,  who  approached  or  receded  from 
the  shore,  to  avoid  the  fragments  of  rocks,  or  deeper  parts  of  the 
river,  with  a  readiness  that  showed  his  knowledge  of  the  route 
they  held.  Occasionally  he  would  stop;  and  in  the  midst  of  a 
breathing 'stillness,  that 'the  dull  but  increasing  roar  of  the  water 
fall  only  served  to  render  more  impressive,  he  would  listen  witli 
painful  intenseness,  to  catch  any  sounds  that  might  arise  from 
the  slumbering  forest.  When  assured  that  all  was  still,  and  un 
able  to  detect,  even  by  the  aid  of  his  practised  senses,  any  sign  of 
his  approaching  foes,  he  would  deliberately  resume  his  slow  and 
unguarded  progress.  At  length  they  reached  a  point  in  the 
river,  where  the  roving  eye  of  Heyward  became  riveted  on  a 
cluster  of  black  objects,  collected  at  a  spot  where  the  high  bank 
threw  a  deeper  shadow  than  usual  on  the  dark  waters.  Hesi 
tating  to  advance,  he  pointed  out  the  place  to  the  attention  of  his 
companion. 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  43 

"Ay,"  returned  the  composed  scout,  "the  Indians  have  hid 
the  beasts  with  the  judgment  of  natives!  Water  leaves  no  trail, 
and  an  owl's  eyes  would  be  blinded  bv  the  darkness  of  such  a 
hole." 

The  whole  party  was  soon  reunited,  and  another  consultation 
was  held  between  the  scout  and  his  new  comrades,  during  which, 
they  whose  fates  depended  on  the  faith  and  ingenuity  of  these 
unknown  foresters,  had  a  little  leisure  to  observe  their  situation 
more  minutely. 

The  river  was  confined  between  high  and  cragged  rocks,  one 
of  which  impended  above  the  spot  where  the  canoe  rested.  As 
these,  again,  were  surmounted  by  tall  trees,  which  appeared  to 
totter  on  the  brows  of  the  precipice,  it  gave  the  stream  the  appear 
ance  of  running  through  a  deep  and  narrow  dell.  All  beneath 
the  fantastic  limbs  and  ragged  tree-tops,  which  were,  here  and 
there,  dimly  painted  against  the  starry  zenith,  lay  alike  in 
shadowed  obscurity.  Behind  them,  the  curvature  of  the  banks 
soon  bounded  the  view,  by  the  same  dark  and  wooded  outline; 
but  in  front,  and  apparently  at  no  great  distance,  the  water 
seemed  piled  against  the  heavens,  whence  it  tumbled  into  caverns, 
out  of  which  issued  those  sullen  sounds  that  had  loaded  the  even 
ing  atmosphere.  It  seemed,  in  truth,  to  be  a  spot  devoted  to 
seclusion,  and  the  sisters  imbibed  a  soothing  impression  of  secu 
rity,  as  they  gazed  upon  its  romantic,  though  not  unappalling 
beauties.  A  general  movement  among  their  conductors,  how 
ever,  soon  recalled  them  from  a  contemplation  of  the  wild  charms 
that  night  had  assisted  to  lend  the  place,  to  a  painful  sense  of 
their  real  peril. 

The  horses  had  been  secured  to  some  scattered  shrubs  that 
grew  in  the  fissures  of  the  rocks,  where,  standing  in  the  water, 
they  were  left  to  pass  the  night.  The  scout  directed  Heyward 
and  his  disconsolate  fellow-travellers  to  seat  themselves  in  the 
forward  end  of  the  canoe,  and  took  possession  of  the  other  him 
self,  as  erect  and  steady  as  if  he  floated  in  a  vessel  of  much  firmer 
materials.  The  Indians  warily  retraced  their  steps  towards  the 
place  they  had  left,  when  the  scout,  placing  his  pole  against  a 
rock,  by  a  powerful  shove,  sent  his  frail  bark  directly  into  the 
centre  of  the  turbulent  stream.  For  many  minutes  the  struggle 
between  the  light  bubble,  in  which  they  floated,  and  the  swift 
current,  was  severe  and  doubtful.  Forbidden  to  stir  even  a  hand, 
and  almost  afraid  to  breathe,  lest  they  should  expose  the  frail 


44  THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS 

fabric  to  the  fury  of  the  stream,  the  passengers  watched  the 
glancing  waters  in  feverish  suspense.  Twenty  times  they  thought 
the  whirling  eddies  were  sweeping  them  to  destruction,  when  the 
master-hand  of  their  pilot  would  bring  the  bows  of  the  canoe  to 
stem  the  rapid.  A  long,  a  vigorous,  and,  as  it  appeared  to  the 
females,  a  desperate  effort,  closed  the  struggle.  Just  as  Alice 
veiled  her  eyes  in  horror,  under  the  impression  that  they  were 
about  to  be  swept  within  the  vortex  at  the  foot  of  the  cataract, 
the  canoe  floated,  stationary,  at  the  side  of  a  flat  rock,  that  lay 
on  a  level  with  the  water. 

"Where  are  we?  and  what  is  next  to  be  done?"  demanded 
Heyward,  perceiving  that  the  exertions  of  the  scout  had  ceased. 

"You  are  at  the  foot  of  Glenn's,"  returned  the  other,  speak 
ing  aloud,  without  fear  of  consequences,  within  the  roar  of  the 
cataract;  "and  the  next  thing  is  to  make  a  steady  landing,  lest 
the  canoe  upset,  and  you  should  go  down  again  the  hard  road  we 
have  travelled,  faster  than  you  came  up ;  'tis  a  hard  rift  to  stem, 
when  the  river  is  a  little  swelled ;  and  five  is  an  unnatural  number 
to  keep  dry,  in  the  hurry-skurry,  with  a  little  birchen  bark  and 
gum.  There,  go  you  all  on  the  rock,  and  I  will  bring  up  the 
Mohicans  with  the  venison.  A  man  had  better  sleep  without  his 
scalp,  than  famish  in  the  midst  of  plenty." 

His  passengers  gladly  complied  with  these  directions.  As 
the  last  foot  touched  the  rock,  the  canoe  whirled  from  its  sta 
tion,  when  the  tall  form  of  the  scout  was  seen,  for  an  instant, 
gliding  above  the  waters,  before  it  disappeared  in  the  impene 
trable  darkness  that  rested  on  the  bed  of  the  river.  Left  by 
their  guide,  the  travellers  remained  a  few  minutes  in  helpless 
ignorance,,  afraid  even  to  move  along  the  broken  rocks,  lest  a 
false  step  should  precipitate  them  down  some  one  of  the  many 
deep  and  roaring  caverns,  into  which  the  water  seemed  to  tum 
ble,  on  every  side  of  them.  Their  suspense,  however,  was  soon 
relieved ;  for  aided  by  the  skill  of  the  natives,  the  canoe  shot  back 
into  the  eddy,  and  floated  again  at  the  side  of  the  low  rock  be 
fore  they  thought  the  scout  had  even  time  to  rejoin  his  com 
panions. 

"We  are  now  fortified,  garrisoned,  and  provisioned,"  cried 
Heyward,  cheerfully,  "and  may  set  Montcalm  and  his  allies  at 
defiance.  How,  now,  my  vigilant  sentinel,  can  you  see  anything 
of  those  you  call  the  Iroquois,  on  the  mainland?" 

"I  call  them  Iroquois,  because  to  me  every  native,  who  speaks 


THE   LAST    OF   THE  f&JgHlCANS  45 

a  foreign  tongue,  is  accounted  an  enemy,ut}>ough  he  may  pre 
tend  to  serve  the  king!  If  Webb  wantsJteithj  and  honesty  in  an 
Indian,  let  him  bring  out  the  tribes  ofjthe:{Delawares,  and  send 
these  greedy  and  lying  Mohawks  and  O&eidas,  with  their  six 
nations  of  varlets,  where  in  nature  iii'eyi'iBelong,  among  the 

French!"  E*'?S 

"We  should  then  exchange  a  warh'ke'';f0y.a.  useless  friend!  I 
have  heard  that  the  Delawares  have  laid  aside  the  hatchet,  and 
are  content  to  be  called  women!"  frYf^Hj-i 

"Ay,  shame  on  the  Hollanders  *  and-lro^uois,  who  circum 
vented  them  by  their  deviltries,  into  such  arTJreaty !  But  I  have 
known  them  for  twenty  years,  and  I  call  him.  Bar,  that  says  cow 
ardly  blood  runs  in  the  veins  of  a  DelaVv;ar«.^  You  have  driven 
their  tribes  from  the  sea-shore,  and  woulcl  n.pw  believe  what  their 
enemies  say,  that  you  may  sleep  at  night .  upon  an  easy  pillow. 
No,  no;  to  me,  every  Indian  who  speaks, a> foreign  tongue  is  an 
Iroquois,  whether  the  castle2  of  his  tribe,  be 'in,  Canada,  or  be  in 
New  York."  jwf  &3 

Heyward,  perceiving  that  the  stubbo^rijradherence  of  the 
scout  to  the  cause  of  his  friends  the  Delawares^br  Mohicans,  for 
they  were  branches  of  the  same  numerous  .people,  was  likely  to 
prolong  a  useless  discussion,  changed  the  subject. 

"Treaty  or  no  treaty,  I  know  full  well,;tjiiaj.  your  two  com 
panions  are  brave  and  cautious  warriors!  have.i^fiey  heard  or  seen 
anything  of  our  enemies?"  '<£r,^^. 

"An  Indian  is  a  mortal  to  be  felt  afore  ]te  is!  s'een,"  returned 
the  scout,  ascending  the  rock,  and  thr owing, jthe^eer  carelessly 
down.     "I  trust  to  other  signs  than  such 
when  I  am  outlying  on  the  trail  of  the  M 

"Do  your  ears  tell  you  that  they  have 

"I  should  be  sorry  to  think  they  had,  thoii^h-thisjs  a-spot;]"-'^ 
that  stout  courage  might  hold  for  a  smart  skranmage.     T^vrH-- ' 
not  deny,  however,  but  the  horses  cowered  when  I  passed  them, 
as  though  they  scented  the  wolves;  and  a  wolf  is  a  beast  that  is 
apt  to  hover  about  an  Indian  ambushment,  craving  the  offals  of 
the  deer  the  savages  kill." 

"You  forget  the  buck  at  your  feet!  or,  may  we  not  owe  their 
visit  to  the  dead  colt?  Ha!  what  noise  is  that?" 

iThe  reader  will  remember  that  New  York  was  originally  a  colony  of  the  Dutch. 

2  The  principal  villages  of  the  Indians  are  still  called  "castles"  by  the  whites  of  New 
York.  "Oneida  castle"  is  no  more  than  a  scattered  hamlet;  but  the  name  is  in  gen 
eral  use. 


46  THE    LAS>T    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Poor  Miriam!"  murmured  the  stranger;  "thy  foal  was  fore 
ordained  to  become  a  prey  to  ravenous  beasts!"  Then,  suddenly 
lifting  up  his  voice,  ainid  the  eternal  din  of  the  waters,  he  sang 
aloud, — 

"Fi"st  born  of  Egypt,  smite  did  He, 
O.'    mankind,  and  of  beast  also ; 
Q,  Egypt!  wonders  sent  "midst  thee, 
0  n  Pharaoh  and  his  servants  too !" 

"The  death  of  the  colt  sits  heavy  on  the  heart  of  its  owner," 
said  the  scout;  "but  it's  a  good  sign  to  see  a  man  account  upon 
his  dumb  friends,  .trie  has  the  religion  of  the  matter,  in  believing 
what  is  to  happen  will  happen;  and  with  such  a  consolation,  it 
won't  be  long  afore>  he  submits  to  the  rationality  of  killing  a 
four-footed  beast,  to  save  the  lives  of  human  men.  It  may  be 
as  you  say,"  he  continued,  reverting  to  the  purport  of  Hey- 
ward's  last  remark;  "and  the  greater  the  reason  why  we  should 
cut  our  steaks,  and  let  the  carcase  drive  down  the  stream,  or  we 
shall  have  the  pack  'howling  along  the  cliffs,  begrudging  every 
mouthful  we  swallovV.  Besides,  though  the  Delaware  tongue  is 
the  same  as  a  book  to  the  Iroquois,  the  cunning  varlets  are  quick 
enough  at  understanding  the  reason  of  a  wolf's  howl." 

The  scout,  whilst  making  his  remarks,  was  busied  in  collect 
ing  certain  neces'sary  implements;  as  he  concluded,  he  moved 
silently  by  the  group  of  travellers,  accompanied  by  the  Mohicans, 
who  seemed  to  comprehend  his  intention's  with  instinctive  readi 
ness,  when  the  "whole  three  disappeared  in  succession,  seeming 
to  vanish  against  the  dark  face  of  a  perpendicular  rock,  that  rose 
to  the  height  ,'of  a  few  yards  within  as  many  feet  of  the  water's 
edge. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

"Those  strains  that  once  did  sweet  in  Zion  glide; 
He  wales  a  portion  witli  judicious  care; 
And  'Let  us  worship  God,'  he  says,  with  solemn  air. 

HEYWARD,  and  his  female  companions,  witnessed  this  mysteri 
ous  movement  with  secret  uneasiness;  for,  though  the  conduct 
of  the  white  man  had  hitherto  been  above  reproach,  his  rude 
equipments,  blunt  address,  and  strong  antipathies,  together  with 
the  character  of  his  silent  associates,  were  all  causes  for  exciting 
distrust  in  zninds  that  had  been  so  recently  alarmed  by  Indian 
treachery. 

The  stranger  alone  disregarded  the  passing  incidents.  He 
seated  himself  on  a  projection  of  the  rocks,  whence  he  gave  no 
other  signs  of  consciousness  than  by  the  struggles  of  his  spirit, 
as  manifested  in  frequent  and  heavy  sighs.  Smothered  voices 
were  next  heard,  as  though  men  called  to  each  other  in  the  bowels 
of  the  earth,  when  a  sudden  light  flashed  upon  those  without, 
and  laid  bare  the  much-prized  secret  of  the  place. 

At  the  farther  extremity  of  a  narrow,  deep  cavern  in  the 
rock,  whose  length  appeared  much  extended  by  the  perspective 
and  the  nature  of  the  light  by  which  it  was  seen,  was  seated  the 
scout,  holding  a  blazing  knot  of  pine.  The  strong  glare  of  the 
fire  fell  full  upon  his  sturdy,  weatherbeaten  countenance  and 
forest  attire,  lending  an  air  of  romantic  wildness  to  the  aspect 
of  an  individual,  who,  seen  by  the  sober  light  of  day,  would  have 
exhibited  the  peculiarities  of  a  man  remarkable  for  the  strange 
ness  of  his  dress,  the  iron-like  inflexibility  of  his  frame,  and  the 
singular  compound  of  quick,  vigilant  sagacity,  and  of  exquisite 
simplicity,  that  by  turns  usurped  the  possession  of  his  muscular 
features.  At  a  little  distance  in  advance  stood  Uncas,  his  whole 
person  thrown  powerfully  into  view.  The  travellers  anxiously 
regarded  the  upright,  flexible  figure  of  the  young  Mohican, 
graceful  and  unrestrained  in  the  attitudes  and  movements  of 
nature.  Though  his  person  was  more  than  usually  screened  by 
a  green  and  fringed  hunting-shirt,  like  that  of  the  white  man, 

47 


48  THE    LAST    OF,    THE    MOHICANS 

there  was  no  concealment  to  his  dark,  glancing,  fearless  eye, 
alike  terrible  and  calm;  the  bold  outline  of  his  high,  haughty 
features,  pure  in  their  native  red;  or  to  the  dignified  elevation 
of  his  receding  forehead,  together  with  all  the  finest  proportions 
of  a  noble  head,  bared  to  the  generous  scalping  tuft.  ^It  was  the 
first  opportunity  possessed  by  Duncan  and  his  companions,  to 
view  the  marked  lineaments  of  either  of  their  Indian  attendants, 
and  each  individual  of  the  party  felt  relieved  from  a  burden  of 
doubt,  as  the  proud  and  determined,  though  wild  expression  of 
the  features  of  the  young  warrior  forced  itself  on  their  notice. 
They  felt  it  might  be  a  being  partially  benighted  in  the  vale  of 
ignorance,  but  it  could  not  be  one  who  would  willingly  devote 
his  rich  natural  gifts  to  the  purposes  of  wanton  treachery.  The 
ingenuous  Alice  gazed  at  his  free  air  and  proud  carriage,  as  she 
would  have  looked  upon  some  precious  relic  of  the  Grecian  chisel, 
to  which  life  had  been  imparted  by  the  intervention  of  a  miracle; 
while  Heyward,  though  accustomed  to  see  the  perfection  of  form 
which  abounds  among  the  uncorrupted  natives,  openly  expressed 
his  admiration  at  such  an  unblemished  specimen  of  the  noblest 
proportions  of  man. 

"I  could  sleep  in  peace,"  whispered  Alice,  in  reply,  "with 
such  a  fearless  and  generous  looking  youth  for  my  sentinel. 
Surely,  Duncan,  those  cruel  murders,  those  terrific  scenes  of 
torture,  of  which  we  read  and  hear  so  much,  are  never  acted  in 
the  presence  of  such  as  hel" 

"This,  certainly,  is  a  rare  and  brilliant  instance  of  those 
natural  qualities,  in  which  these  peculiar  people  are  said  to  ex 
cel,"  he  answered.  "I  agree  with  you,  Alice,  in  thinking  that 
such  a  front  and  eye  were  formed  rather  to  intimidate  than  to 
deceive;  but  let  us  not  practise  a  deception  upon  ourselves,  by 
expecting  any  other  exhibition  of  what  we  esteem  virtue  than 
according  to  the  fashion  of  a  savage.  As  bright  examples  of 
great  qualities  are  but  too  uncommon  among  Christians,  so  are 
they  singular  and  solitary  with  the  Indians ;  though,  for  the  honor 
of  our  common  nature,  neither  are  incapable  of  producing  them. 
Let  us  then  hope  that  this  Mohican  may  not  disappoint  our 
wishes,  but  prove,  what  his  looks  assert  him  to  be,  a  brave  and 
constant  friend." 

"Now  Major  Heyward  speaks  as  Major  Heyward  should," 
said  Cora;  "who,  that  looks  at  this  creature  of  nature,  remembers 
the  shade  of  his  skin!" 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  49 

A  short,  and  apparently  an  embarrassed  silence  succeeded 
this  remark,  which  was  interrupted  by  the  scout  calling  to  them, 
aloud,  to  enter. 

"This  fire  begins  to  show  too  bright  a  flame,"  he  continued, 
as  they  complied,  "and  might  light  the  Mingos  to  our  undoing. 
Uncas,  drop  the  blanket,  and  show  the  knaves  its  dark  side.  This 
is  not  such  a  supper  as  a  major  of  the  Royal  Americans  has  a 
right  to  expect,  but  I've  known  stout  detachments  of  the  corps 
glad  to  eat  their  venison  raw,  and  without  a  relish  too.1  Here, 
you  see,  we  have  plenty  of  salt,  and  can  make  a  quick  broil. 
There's  fresh  sassafras  boughs  for  the  ladies  to  sit  on,  which  may 
not  be  as  proud  as  their  my-hog-guinea  chairs,  but  which  sends 
up  a  sweeter  flavor  than  the  skin  of  any  hog  can  do,  be  it  of 
Guinea,  or  be  it  of  any  other  land.  Come,  friend,  don't  be  mourn 
ful  for  the  colt;  'twas  an  innocent  thing,  and  had  not  seen  much 
hardship.  Its  death  will  save  the  creature  many  a  sore  back  and 
weary  foot!" 

Uncas  did  as  the  other  had  directed,  and  when  the  voice  of 
Hawkeye  ceased,  the  roar  of  the  cataract  sounded  like  the  rum 
bling  of  distant  thunder. 

"Are  we  quite  safe  in  this  cavern?"  demanded  Heyward.  "Is 
there  no  danger  of  surprise?  A  single  armed  man,  at  its  en 
trance,  would  hold  us  at  his  mercy." 

A  spectral-looking  figure  stalked  from  out  the  darkness  be 
hind  the  scout,  and  seizing  a  blazing  brand,  held  it  towards  the 
farther  extremity  of  their  place  of  retreat.  Alice  uttered  a  faint 
shriek,  and  even  Cora  rose  to  her  feet,  as  this  appalling  object 
moved  into  the  light;  but  a  single  word  from  Heyward  calmed 
them,  with  the  assurance  it  was  only  their  attendant,  Chingach- 
gook,  who,  lifting  another  blanket,  discovered  that  the  cavern 
had  two  outlets.  Then,  holding  the  brand,  he  crossed  a  deep, 
narrow  chasm  in  the  rocks,  which  ran  at  right  angles  with  the 
passage  they  were  in,  but  which,  unlike  that,  was  open  to  the 
heavens,  and  entered  another  cave,  answering  to  the  description 
of  the  first,  in  every  essential  particular. 

"Such  old  foxes  as  Chingachgook  and  myself  are  not  often 

i  In  vulgar  parlance  the  condiments  of  a  repast  are  called  by  the  American  "a  relish," 
substituting  the  thing  for  its  effect.  These  provincial  terms  are  frequently  put  in  the 
mouths  of  the  speakers,  according  to  their  several  conditions  in  life.  Most  of  them  are 
of  local  use,  and  others  quite  peculiar  to  the  particular  class  of  men  to  which  the  char 
acter  belongs.  In  the  present  instance,  the  scout  uses  the  word  with  immediate  reference 
to  the  salt,  with  which  his  own  party  was  so  fortunate  as  to  be  provided. 


50  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

caught  in  a  burrow  with  one  hole,"  said  Hawkeye,  laughing; 
"you  can  easily  see  the  cunning  of  the  place — the  rock  is  black, 
limestone,  which  everybody  knows  is  soft;  it  makes  no  uncom 
fortable  pillow,  where  brush  and  pine  wood  is  scarce;  well,  the 
fall  was  once  a  few  yards  below  us,  and  I  dare  to  say  was,  in  its 
time,  as  regular  and  as  handsome  a  sheet  of  water  as  any  along 
the  Hudson.  But  old  age  is  a  great  injury  to  good  looks,  as 
these  sweet  young  ladies  have  yet  to  1'arn!  The  place  is  sadly 
changed  i  These  rocks  are  full  of  cracks,  and  in  some  places  they 
are  softer  than  at  othersome,  and  the  water  has  worked  out  deep 
hollows  for  itself,  until  it  has  fallen  back,  ay,  some  hundred  feet, 
breaking  here  and  wearing  there,  until  the  falls  have  neither 
shape  nor  consistency." 

"In  what  part  of  them  are  we?"  asked  Hey  ward. 

"Why,  we  are  nigh  the  spot  that  Providence  first  placed  them 
at,  but  where,  it  seems,  they  were  too  rebellious  to  stay.  The 
rock  proved  softer  on  each  side  of  us,  and  so  they  left  the  centre 
of  the  river  bare  and  dry,  first  working  out  these  two  little  holes 
for  us  to  hide  in." 

"We  are  then  on  an  island?" 

"Ay!  there  are  the  falls  on  two  sides  of  us,  and  the  river 
above  and  below.  If  you  had  daylight,  it  would  be  worth  the 
trouble  to  step  up  on  the  height  of  this  rock,  and  look  at  the 
perversity  of  the  water.  It  falls  by  no  rule  at  all;  sometimes  it 
leaps,  sometimes  it  tumbles;  there,  it  skips;  here,  it  shoots;  in 
one  place  'tis  white  as  snow,  and  in  another  'tis  green  as  grass; 
hereabouts,  it  pitches  into  deep  hollows,  that  rumble  and  quake 
the  'arth;  and  hereaway,  it  ripples  and  sings  like  a  brook,  fash 
ioning  whirlpools  and  gulleys  in  the  old  stone,  as  it  'twas  no 
harder  than  trodden  clay.  The  whole  design  of  the  river  seems 
disconcerted.  First  it  runs  smoothly,  as  if  meaning  to  go  down 
the  descent  as  things  were  ordered ;  then  it  angles  about  and  faces 
the  shores;  nor  are  there  places  wanting  where  it  looks  back 
ward,  as  if  unwilling  to  leave  the  wilderness,  to  mingle  with  the 
salt!  Ay,  lady,  the  fine  cobweb-looking  cloth  you  wear  at  your 
throat,  is  coarse,  and  like  a  fish-net,  to  little  spots  I  can  show 
you,  where  the  river  fabricates  all  sorts  of  images,  as  if,  having 
broke  loose  from  order,  it  would  try  its  hand  at  everything.  And 
yet  what  does  it  amount  to!  After  the  water  has  been  suffered 
to  have  its  will,  for  a  time,  like  a  headstrong  man,  it  is  gathered 
together  by  the  hand  that  made  it,  and  a  few  rods  below  you  may 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  51 

see  it  all,  flowing  on  steadily  towards  the  sea,  as  was  foreor 
dained  from  the  first  foundation  of  the  'arth!" 

While  his  auditors  received  a  cheering  assurance  of  the 
security  of  their  place  of  concealment,  from  this  untutored  de 
scription  of  Glenn's,1  they  were  much  inclined  to  judge  differ 
ently  from  Hawkey e,  of  its  wild  beauties.  But  they  were  not 
in  a  situation  to  suffer  their  thoughts  to  dwell  on  the  charms  of 
natural  objects;  and,  as  the  scout  had  not  found  it  necessary  to 
cease  his  culinary  labors  while  he  spoke,  unless  to  point  out,  with 
a  broken  fork,  the  direction  of  some  particularly  obnoxious  point 
in  the  rebellious  stream,  they  now  suffered  their  attention  to  be 
drawn  to  the  necessary,  though  more  vulgar  consideration  of 
their  supper. 

The  repast,  which  was  greatly  aided  by  the  addition  of  a  few 
delicacies  that  Heyward  had  the  precaution  to  bring  with  him 
when  they  left  their  horses,  was  exceedingly  refreshing  to  the 
wearied  party.  Uncas  acted  as  attendant  to  the  females,  per 
forming  all  the  little  offices  within  his  power,  with  a  mixture  of 
dignity  and  anxious  grace,  that  served  to  amuse  Heyward,  who 
well  knew  that  it  was  an  utter  innovation  on  the  Indian  customs, 
which  forbid  their  warriors  to  descend  to  any  menial  employ 
ment,  especially  in  favor  of  their  women.  As  the  rites  of  hos 
pitality  were,  however,  considered  sacred  among  them,  this  little 
departure  from  the  dignity  of  manhood  excited  no  audible  com 
ment.  Had  there  been  one  there  sufficiently  disengaged  to  be 
come  a  close  observer,  he  might  have  fancied  that  the  services 
of  the  young  chief  were  not  entirely  impartial.  That  while  he 
tendered  to  Alice  the  gourd  of  sweet  water  and  the  venison  in  a 
trencher,  neatly  carved,  from  the  knot  of  the  pepperidge,  with 
sufficient  courtesy,  in  performing  the  same  offices  to  her  sister, 
his  dark  eye  lingered  on  her  rich,  speaking  countenance.  Once 
or  twice  he  was  compelled  to  speak,  to  command  the  attention 
of  those  he  served.  In  such  cases,  he  made  use  of  English,  broken 
and  imperfect,  but  sufficiently  intelligible,  and  which  he  rendered 

i  Glenn's  Falls  are  on  the  Hudson,  some  forty  or  fifty  miles  above  the  head  of  tide, 
or  the  place  where  that  river  becomes  navigable  for  sloops.  The  description  of  this 
picturesque  and  remarkable  HUle  cataract,  as  given  by  the  scout,  is  sufficiently  correct, 
though  the  application  of  the  water  to  the  uses  of  civilized  life  has  materially  injured  its 
beauties.  The  rocky  island  and  the  two  caverns  are  well  known  to  every  traveller,  since 
the  former  sustains  a  pier  of  a  bridge,  which  is  now  thrown  across  the  river,  immediately 
above  the  fall.  In  explanation  of  the  taste  of  Hawkeye,  it  should  be  remembered  that 
men  always  prize  that  most  which  is  least  enjoyed.  Thus,  in  a  new  country,  the  woods 
and  other"  objects,  which  in  an  old  country  would  be  maintained  at  great  cost,  are  got 
rid  of,  simply  with  a  view  of  "improving,"  as  it  is  called. 


52  THE   LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS 

so  mild  and  musical,  by  his  deep/  guttural  voice,  that  it  never 
failed  to  cause  both  ladies  to  look  up  in  admiration  and  astonish 
ment.  In  the  course  of  these  civilities,  a  few  sentences  were  ex 
changed,  that  served  to  establish  the  appearance  of  an  amicable 
intercourse  between  the  parties. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  gravity  of  Chingachgook  remained 
immovable.  He  had  seated  himself  more  within  the  circle  of 
light,  where  the  frequent  uneasy  glances  of  his  guests  were  better 
enabled  to  separate  the  natural  expression  of  his  face  from  the 
artificial  terrors  of  the  war-paint.  They  found  a  strong  resem 
blance  between  father  and  son,  with  the  difference  that  might 
be  expected  from  age  and  hardships.  The  fierceness  of  his  coun 
tenance  now  seemed  to  slumber,  and  in  its  place  was  to  be  seen 
the  quiet,  vacant  composure,  which  distinguishes  an  Indian  war 
rior,  when  his  faculties  are  not  required  for  any  of  the  greater 
purposes  of  his  existence.  It  was,  however,  easy  to  be  seen,  by 
the  occasional  gleams  that  shot  across  his  swarthy  visage,  that 
it  was  only  necessary  to  arouse  his  passions,  in  order  to  give  full 
effect  to  the  terrific  device  which  he  had  adopted  to  intimidate 
his  enemies.  On  the  other  hand,  the  quick,  roving  eye  of  the 
scout  seldom  rested.  He  ate  and  drank  with  an  appetite  that 
no  sense  of  danger  could  disturb,  but  his  vigilance  seemed  never 
to  desert  him.  Twenty  times  the  gourd  or  the  venison  was  sus 
pended  before  his  lips,  while  his  head  was  turned  aside,  as  though 
he  listened  to  some  distant  and  distrusted  sounds — a  movement 
that  never  failed  to  recall  his  guests  from  regarding  the  novelties 
of  their  situation,  to  a  recollection  of  the  alarming  reasons  that 
had  driven  them  to  seek  it.  As  these  frequent  pauses  were  never 
followed  by  any  remark,  the  momentary  uneasiness  they  created 
quickly  passed  away,  and  for  a  time  was  forgotten. 

"Come,  friend,"-  said  Hawkeye,  drawing  out  a  keg  from  be 
neath  a  cover  of  leaves,  towards  the  close  of  the  repast,  and 
addressing  the  stranger  who  sat  at  his  elbow,  doing  great  justice 
to  his  culinary  skill,  "try  a  little  spruce;  'twill  wash  away  all 
thoughts  of  the  colt,  and  quicken  the  life  in  your  bosom.  I  drink 
to  our  better  friendship,  hoping  that  a  little  horse-flesh  may  leave 
no  heartburnings  atween  us.  How  do  you  name  yourself?" 

"Gamut — David  Gamut,"  returned  the  singing-master,  pre 
paring  to  wash  down  his  sorrows  in  a  powerful  draught  of  the 
woodman's  high-flavored  and  well-laced  compound. 

iThe  meaning  of  Indian  words  is  much  governed  by  the  emphasis  and  tones. 


THE   LAST   OF,   THE   MOHICANS  53 

"A  very  good  name,  and,  I  dare  say,  handed  down  from 
honest,  forefathers.  I'm  an  admirator  of  names,  though  the 
Christian  fashions  fall  far  below  savage  customs  in  this  particu 
lar.  The  biggest  coward  I  ever  knew  was  called  Lyon ;  and  his 
wife,  Patience,  would  scold  you  out  of  hearing  in  less  time  than 
a  hunted  deer  would  run  a  rod.  With  an  Indian  'tis  a  matter 
of  conscience;  what  he  calls  himself,  he  generally  is — not  that 
Chingachgook,  which  signifies  Big  Sarpent,  is  really  a  snake, 
big  or  little ;  but  that  he  understands  the  windings  and  turnings 
of  human  natur',  and  is  silent,  and  strikes  his  enemies  when  they 
least  expect  him.  What  may  be  your  calling?" 

"I  am  an  unworthy  instructor  in  the  art  of  psalmody." 

"Aiian!" 

"I  teach  singing  to  the  youths,  of  the  Connecticut  levy." 

"You  might  be  better  employed.  The  young  hounds  go 
laughing  and  singing  too  much  already  through  the  woods,  when 
they  ought  not  to  breathe  louder  than  a  fox  in  his  cover.  Can 
you  use  the  smooth  bore,  or  handle  the  rifle?" 

"Praised  be  God,  I  have  never  had  occasion  to  meddle  with 
murderous  implements !" 

"Perhaps  you  understand  the  compass,  and  lay  down  the 
water-courses  and  mountains  of  the  wilderness  on  paper,  in  order 
that  they  who  follow  may  find  places  by  their  given  names?" 

"I  practise  no  such  employment." 

"You  have  a  pair  of  legs  that  might  make  a  long  path  seem 
short!  you  journey  sometimes,  I  fancy,  with  tidings  for  the 
general." 

"Never;  I  follow  no  other  than  my  own  high  vocation,  which 
is  instruction  in  sacred  music  1" 

"  'Tis  a  strange  calling!"  muttered  Hawkeye,  with  an  inward 
laugh,  "to  go  through  life,  like  a  catbird,  mocking  all  the  ups 
and  -downs  that  may  happen  to  come  out  of  other  men's  throats. 
Well,  friend,  I  suppose  it  is  your  gift,  and  mustn't  be  denied 
any  more  than  if  'twas  shooting,  or  some  other  better  inclina 
tion.  Let  us  hear  what  you  can  do  in  that  way;  'twill  be  a 
friendly  manner  of  saying  good-night,  for  'tis  time  that  these 
ladies  should  be  getting  strength  for  a  hard  and  a  long  push,  in 
the  pride  of  the  morning,  afore  the  Maquas  are  stirring!" 

"With  joyful  pleasure  do  I  consent,"  said  David,  adjusting 
his  iron-rimmed  spectacles,  and  producing  his  beloved  little  vol 
ume,  which  he  immediately  tendered  to  Alice.  "What  can  be 


54  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

more  fitting  and  consolatory,  than  to  offer  up  evening  praise, 
after  a  day  of  such  exceeding  jeopardy  1" 

Alice  smiled ;  but  regarding  Hey  ward,  she  blushed  and  hesi 
tated. 

"Indulge  yourself,"  he  whispered:  "ought  not  the  sugges 
tion  of  the  worthy  namesake  of  the  Psalmist  to  have  its  weight 
at  such  a  moment?" 

Encouraged  by  his  opinion,  Alice  did  what  her  pious  inclina 
tions  and  her  keen  relish  for  gentle  sounds,  had  before  so  strongly 
urged.  The  book  was  open  at  a  hymn  not  ill  adapted  to  their 
situation,  and  in  which  the  poet,  no  longer  goaded  by  his  desire 
to  excel  the  inspired  king  of  Israel,  had  discovered  some  chastened 
and  respectable  powers.  Cora  betrayed  a  disposition  to  support 
her  sister,  and  the  sacred  song  proceeded,  after  the  indispensable 
preliminaries  of  the  pitch-pipe  and  the  tune  had  been  duly  at 
tended  to  by  the  methodical  David. 

The  air  was  solemn  and  slow.  At  times  it  rose  to  the  fullest 
compass  of  the  rich  voices  of  the  females,  who  hung  over  their 
little  book  in  holy  excitement,  and  again  it  sank  so  low,  that  the 
rushing  of  the  waters  ran  through  their  melody,  like  a  hollow 
accompaniment.  The  natural  taste  and  true  ear  of  David  gov 
erned  and  modified  the  sounds  to  suit  the  confined  cavern,  every 
crevice,  and  cranny  of  which  was  filled  with  the  thrilling  notes 
of  their  flexible  voices.  The  Indians  riveted  their  eyes  on  the 
rocks,  and  listened  with  an  attention  that  seemed  to  turn  them 
into  stone.  But  the  scout,  who  had  placed  his  chin  in  his  hand, 
with  an  expression  of  cold  indifference,  gradually  suffered  his 
rigid  features  to  relax,  until,  as  verse  succeeded  verse,  he  felt 
his  iron  nature  subdued,  while  his  recollection  was  carried  back 
to  boyhood,  when  his  ears  had  been  accustomed  to  listen  to  simi 
lar  sounds  of  praise,  in  the  settlements  of  the  colony.  His  roving 
eyes  began  to  moisten,  and  before  the  hymn  was  ended,  scalding 
tears  rolled  out  of  fountains  that  had  long  seemed  dry,  and  fol 
lowed  each  other  down  those  cheeks,  that  had  oftener  felt  the 
storms  of  heaven  than  any  testimonials  of  weakness.  The  singers 
were  dwelling  on  one  of  those  low,  dying  chords,  which  the  ear 
devours  with  such  greedy  rapture,  as  if  conscious  that  it  is  about 
to  lose  them,  when  a  cry,  that  seemed  neither  human  nor  earthly, 
rose  in  the  outward  air,  penetrating  not  only  the  recesses  of  the 
cavern,  but  to  the  inmost  hearts  of  all  who  heard  it.  It  was  fol 
lowed  by  a  stillness  apparently  as  deep  as  if  the  waters  had  been 


THE    LAST   OF   THE    MOHICANS  55 

checked  in  their  furious  progress,  at  such  a  horrid  and  unusual 
interruption. 

"What  is  it?"  murmured  Alice,  after  a  few  moments  of  ter 
rible  suspense. 

"What  is  it?"  repeated  PI ey ward  aloud. 

Neither  Hawkey e  nor  the  Indians  made  any  reply.  They 
listened,  as  if  expecting  the  sound  would  be  repeated,  with  a 
manner  that  expressed  their  own  astonishment.  At  length  they 
spoke  together  earnestly,  in  the  Delaware  language,  "vyhen  Uncas, 
passing  by  the  inner  and  most  concealed  aperture^1  cautiously 
left  the  cavern.  When  he  had  gone,  the  scout  first  spoke  in 
English. 

"What  it  is,  or  what  it  is  not,  none  here  can  tell;  though  two 
of  us  have  ranged  the  woods  for  more  than  thirty  years!  I  did 
believe  there  was  no  cry  that  Indians  or  beast  could  make,  that 
my  ears  had  not  heard ;  but  this  has  proved  that  I  was  only  a  vain 
and  conceited  mortal!" 

"Was  it  not,  then,  the  shout  the  warriors  make  when  they 
wish  to  intimidate  their  enemies?"  asked  Cora,  who  stood  draw 
ing  her  veil  about  her  person,  with  a  calmness  to  which  her  agi 
tated  sister  was  a  stranger. » 

"No,  no;  this  was  bad,  and  shocking,  and  had  a  sort  of  un- 
human  sound;  but  when  you  once  hear  the  war-whoop,  you  will 
never  mistake  it  for  anything  else!  Well,  Uncas!"  speaking  in 
Delaware  to  the  young  chief  as  he  re-entered,  "what  see  you?  do 
our  lights  shine  through  the  blankets?" 

The  answer  was  short,  and  apparently  decided,  being  given 
in  the  same  tongue. 

"There  is  nothing  to  be  seen  without,"  continued  Hawkeye, 
shaking  his  head  in  discontent;  "and  our  hiding-place  is  still  in 
darkness!  Pass  into  the  other  cave,  you  that  need  it,  and  seek 
for  sleep;  we  must  be  afoot  long  before  the  sun,  and  make  the 
most  of  our  time  to  get  to  Edward,  while  the  Mingos  are  taking 
their  morning  nap." 

Cora  set  the  example  of  compliance,  with  a  steadiness  that 
taught  the  more  timid  Alice  the  necessity  of  obedience.  Before 
leaving  the  place,  however,  she  whispered  a  request  to  Duncan 
that  he  would  follow.  Uncas  raised  the  blanket  for  their  pas 
sage,  and  as  the  sisters  turned  to  thank  him  for  this  act  of  atten 
tion,  they  saw  the  scout  seated  again  before  the  dying  embers, 
with  his  face  resting  on  his  hands,  in  a  manner  which  showed  how 


56  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

deeply  he  brooded  on  the  unaccountable  interruption  which  had 
broken  up  their  evening  devotions. 

Heyward  took  with  him  a  blazing  knot,  which  threw  a  dim 
light  through  the  narrow  vista  of  their  new  apartment.  Placing 
it  in  a  favorable  position,  he  joined  the  females,  who  now  found 
themselves  alone  with  him  for  the  first  time  since  they  had  left 
the  friendly  ramparts  of  Fort  Edward. 

"Leave  us  not,  Duncan,"  said  Alice;  "we  cannot  sleep  in 
such  a  place  as  this,  with  that  horrid  cry  still  ringing  in  our  ears !" 

"First  let  us  examine  into  the  security  of  your  fortress,"  he 
answered,  "and  then  we  will  speak  of  rest." 

He  approached  the  farther  end  of  the  cavern,  to  an  outlet, 
which,  like  the  others,  was  concealed  by  blankets,  and  removing 
the  thick  screen,  breathed  the  fresh  and  reviving  air  from  the 
cataract.  One  arm  of  the  river  flowed  through  a  deep,  narrow 
ravine,  which  its  current  had  worn  in  the  soft  rock,  directly  be 
neath  his  feet,  forming  an  effectual  defence,  as  he  believed, 
against  any  danger  from  that  quarter;  the  water,  a  few  rods 
above  them,  plunging,  glancing,  and  sweeping  along,  in  its  most 
violent  and  broken  manner. 

"Nature  has  made  an  impenetrable  barrier  on  this  side,"  he 
continued,  pointing  down  the  perpendicular  declivity  into  the 
dark  current,  before  he  dropped  the  blanket;  "and  as  you  know 
that  good  men  and  true  are  on  guard  in  front,  I  see  no  reason 
why  the  advice  of  our  honest  host  should  be  disregarded.  I  am 
certain  Cora  will  join  me  in  saying  that  sleep  is  necessary  to 
you  both." 

"Cora  may  submit  to  the  justice  of  your  opinion,  though  she 
cannot  put  it  in  practise,"  returned  the  elder  sister,  who  had 
placed  herself  by  the  side  of  Alice,  on  a  couch  of  sassafras;  "there 
would  be  other  causes  to  chase  away  sleep,  though  we  had  been 
spared  the  shock  of  this  mysterious  noise.  Ask  yourself,  Hey 
ward,  can  daughters  forget  the  anxiety  a  father  must  endure, 
whose  children  lodge,  he  knows  not  where  or  how,  in  such  a  wil 
derness,  and  in  the  midst  of  so  many  perils?" 

"He  is  a  soldier,  and  knows  how  to  estimate  the  chances  of 
the  woods." 

"He  is  a  father,  and  cannot  deny  his  nature." 

"How  kind  has  he  ever  been  to  all  my  follies!  how  tender 
and  indulgent  to  all  my  wishes!"  sobbed  Alice.  "We  have  been 
selfish,  sister,  in  urging  our  visit  at  such  hazard!" 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  57 

"I  may  have  been  rash  in  pressing  his  consent  in  a  moment 
of  much  embarrassment,  but  I  would  have  proved  to  him,  that 
however  others  might  neglect  him  in  his  strait,  his  children  at 
least  were  faithful!" 

"When  he  heard  of  your  arrival  at  Edward,"  said  Heyward, 
kindly,,  "there  was  a  powerful  struggle  in  his  bosom  between 
fear  and  love;  though  the  latter,  heightened,  if  possible,  by  so 
long  a  separation,  quickly  prevailed.  'It  is  the  spirit  of  my  noble- 
minded  Cora  that  leads  them,  Duncan,'  he  said,  'and  I  will  not 
balk  it.  Would  to  God,  that  he  who  holds  the  honor  of  our  royal 
master  in  his  guardianship,  would  show  but  half  her  firmness!' ' 
"And  did  he  not  speak  of  me,  Heyward?"  demanded  Alice, 
with  jealous  affection.  "Surely,  he  forgot  not  altogether  his 
little  Elsie?" 

"That  was  impossible,"  returned  the  young  man;  "he  called 
you  by  a  thousand  endearing  epithets,  that  I  may  not  presume 
to  use,  but  to  the  justice  of  which  I  can  warmly  testify.  Once, 
indeed,  he  said- 
Duncan  ceased  speaking;  for  while  his  eyes  were  riveted  on 
those  of  Alice,  who  had  turned  towards  him  with  the  eagerness 
of  filial  affection,  to  catch  his  words,  the  same  strong  horrid  cry, 
as  before,  filled  the  air,  and  rendered  him  'mute.  A  long,  breath 
less  silence  succeeded,  during  which  each  looked  at  the  others  in 
fearful  expectation  of  hearing  the  sound  repeated.  At  length  the 
blanket  was  slowly  raised,  and  the  scout  stood  in  the  aperture  with 
a  countenance  whose  firmness  evidently  began  to  give  way,  be 
fore  a  mystery  that  seemed  to  threaten  some  danger,  against 
which  all  his  cunning  and  experience  might  prove  of  no  avail. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

"They  do  not  sleep. 
On  yonder  cliffs,  a  grisly  band, 
I  see  them  sit." 

GRAY. 

"  'TwouLD  be  neglecting  a  warning  that  is  given  for  our  good, 
to  lie  hid  any  longer,"  said  Hawkeye,  "when  such  sounds  are 
raised  in  the  forest  1  The  gentle  ones  may  keep  close,  but  the 
Mohicans  and  I  will  watch  upon  the  rock,  where  I  suppose  a 
major  of  the  60th  would  wish  to  keep  us  company." 

"Is  then  our  danger  so  pressing?"  asked  Cora. 

"He  who  makes  strange  sounds,  and  gives'  them  out  for  man's 
information,  alone  knows  our  danger.  I  should  think  myself 
wicked,  unto  rebellion  against  his  will,  was  I  to  burrow  with 
such  warnings  in  the  air!  Even  the  weak  soul  who  passes  his 
days  in  singing,  is  stirred  by  the  cry,  and,  as  he  says,  is  'ready  to 
go  forth  to  the  battle.'  If  'twere  only  a  battle,  it  would  be  a 
thing  understood  by  us  all,  and  easily  managed ;  but  I  have  heard 
that  when  such  shrieks  are  atween  heaven  and  'arth,  it  betokens 
another  sort  of  warfare!" 

"If  all  our  reasons  for  fear,  my  friend,  are  confined  to  such 
as  proceed  from  supernatural  causes,  we  have  but  little  occasion 
to  be  alarmed,"  continued  the  undisturbed  Cora;  "are  you  cer 
tain  that  our  enemies  have  not  invented  some  new  and  ingenious 
method  to  strike  us  with  terror,  that  their  conquest  may  become 
more  easy?" 

"Lady,"  returned  the  scout,  solemnly,  "I  have  listened  to  all 
the  sounds  of  the  woods  for  thirty  years,  as  a  man  will  listen, 
whose  life  and  death  depend  on  the  quickness  of  his  ears.  There 
is  no  whine  of  the  panther,  no  whistle  of  the  catbird,  nor  any  in 
vention  of  the  devilish  Mingos,  that  can  cheat  me !  I  have  heard 
the  forest  moan  like  mortal  men  in-  their  affliction;  often,  and 
again,  have  I  listened  to  the  wind  playing  its  music  in  the  branches 
of  the  girdled  trees;  and  I  have  heard  the  lightning  cracking  in 
the  air,  like  the  snapping  of  blazing  brush,  as  it  spitted  forth 
sparks  and  forked  flames ;  but  never  have  I  thought  that  I  heard 

58 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  59 

more  than  the  pleasure  of  Him  who  sported  with  the  things  of 
his  hand.  But  neither  the  Mohicans,  nor  I,  who  am  a  white  man 
without  a  cross,  can  explain  the  cry  just  heard.  We,  therefore, 
believe  it  a  sign  given  for  our  good." 

"It  is  extraordinary!"  said  Heyward,  taking  his  pistols  from 
the  place  where  he  had  laid  them  on  entering;  "be  it  a  sign  of 
peace  or  a  signal  of  war,  it  must  be  looked  to.  Lead  the  way, 
my  friend;  I  follow." 

On  issuing  from  their  place  of  confinement,  the  whole  party 
instantly  experienced  a  grateful  renovation  of  spirits,  by  ex 
changing  the  pent  air  of  the  hiding-place  for  the  cool  and  in 
vigorating  atmosphere,  which  played  around  the  whirlpools  and 
pitches  of  the  cataract.  A  heavy  evening  breeze  swept  along  the 
surface  of  the  river,  and  seemed  to  drive  the  roar  of  the  falls  into 
the  recesses  of  their  own  caverns,  whence  it  issued  heavily  and 
constant,  like  thunder  rumbling  beyond  the  distant  hills.  The 
moon  had  risen,  and  its  light  was  already  glancing  here  and 
there  on  the  waters  above  them;  but  the  extremity  of  the  rock 
where  they  stood  still  lay  in  shadow.  With  the  exception  of  the 
sounds  produced  by  the  rushing  waters,  and  an  occasional  breath 
ing  of  the  air,  as  it  murmured  past  them  in  fitful  currents,  the 
scene  was  as  still  as  night  and  solitude  could  make  it.  In  vain 
were  the  eyes  of  each  individual  bent  along  the  opposite  shores, 
in  quest  of  some  signs  of  life,  that  might  explain  the  nature  of 
the  interruption  they  had  heard.  Their  anxious  and  eager  looks 
were  baffled  by  the  deceptive  light,  or  rested  only  on  naked  rocks, 
and  straight  and  immovable  trees. 

"There -is  nothing  to  be  seen  but  the  gloom  and  quiet  of  a 
lovely  evening,','] whispered  Duncan:  "how  much  should  we  prize 
such  a  scene,  and  all  this  breathing  solitude,  at  any  other  mo 
ment,  Cora!  Fancy  yourselves  in  security  and  what  now,  per 
haps,  increases  your  terror,  may  be  made  conducive  to  enjoy 
ment—" 

"Listen!"  interrupted  Alice. 

The  caution  was  unnecessary.  Once  more  the  same  sound 
arose,  as  if  from  the  bed  of  the  river,  and  having  broken  out  of 
the  narrow  bounds  of  the  cliffs,  was  heard  undulating  through 
the  forest,  in  distant  and  dying  cadences. 

"Can  any  here  give  a  name  to  such  a  cry?"  demanded  Hawk- 
eye,  when  the  last -echo  was  lost  in  the  woods ;  "if  so,  let  him  speak; 
for  myself,  I  judge  it  not  to  belong  to  'arthl" 


60  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Here,  then,  is  one  who  can  undeceive  you,"  said  Duncan; 
"I  know  the  sound  full  well,  for  often  have  I  heard  it  on  the  field 
of  battle,  and  in  situations  which  are  frequent  in  a  soldier's  life. 
'Tis  the  horrid  shriek  that  a  horse  will  give  in  his  agony;  oftener 
drawn  from  him  in  pain,  though  sometimes  in  terror.  My  charger 
is  either  a  prey  to  the  beasts  of  the  forest,  or  he  sees  his  danger, 
without  the  power  to  avoid  it.  The  sound  might  deceive  me  in 
the  cavern,  but  in  the  open  air  I  know  it  too  well  to  be  wrong." 

The  scout  and  his  companions  listened  to  this  simple  explana 
tion  with  the  interest  of  men  who  imbibe  new  ideas,  at  the  same 
time  that  they  get  rid  of  old  ones,  which  had  proved  disagreeable 
inmates.  The  two  latter  uttered  their  usual  and  expressive  ex 
clamation,  "Hugh!"  as  the  truth  first  glanced  upon  their  minds, 
while  the  former,  after  a  short  musing  pause,  took  upon  himself 
to  reply. 

"I  cannot  deny  your  words,"  he  said;  "for  I  am  little  skilled 
in  horses,  though  born  where  they  abound.  The  wolves  must  be 
hovering  above  their  heads  on  the  bank,  and  the  timorsome  crea 
tures  are  calling  on  man  for  help,  in  the  best  manner  they  are 
able.  Uncas," — he  spoke  in  Delaware—  -"Uncas,  drop  down  in 
the  canoe,  and  whirl  a  brand  among  the  pack ;  or  fear  may  do  what 
the  wolves  can't  get  at  to  perform,  and  leave  us  without  horses 
in  the  morning,  when  we  shall  have  so  much  need  to  journey 
swiftly!" 

The  young  native  had  already  descended  to  the  water,  to 
comply,  when  a  long  howl  was  raised  on  the  edge  of  the  river, 
and  was  borne  swiftly  off  into  the  depths  of  the  forest,  as  though 
the  beasts,  of  their  own  accord,  were  abandoning  their  prey  in 
sudden  terror.  Uncas,  with  instinctive  quickness,  receded,  and 
the  three  foresters  held  another  of  their  low,  earnest  conferences. 

"We  have  been  like  hunters  who  have  lost  the  points  of  the 
heavens,  and  from  whom  the  sun  has  been  hid  for  days,"  said 
Hawkeye,  turning  away  from  his  companions;  "now  we  begin 
again  to  know  the  signs  of  our  course,  and  the  paths  are  cleared 
from  briers !  Seat  yourselves  in  the  shade  which  the  moon  throws 
from  yonder  beech — 'tis  thicker  than  that  of  the  pines — and  let 
us  wait  for  that  which  the  Lord  may  choose  to  send  next.  Let  all 
your  conversation  be  in  whispers ;  though  it  would  be  better,  and 
perhaps,  in  the  end,  wiser,  if  each  one  held  discourse  with  his 
own  thoughts,  for  a  time." 

The  manner  of  the  scout  was  seriously  impressive,  though  no 


THE   LAST    OF,   THE    MOHICANS  61 

longer  distinguished  by  any  signs  of  unmanly  apprehension.  It 
was  evident  that  his  momentary  weakness  had  vanished  with  the 
explanation  of  a  mystery  which  his  own  experience  had  not  served 
to  fathom;  and  though  he  now  felt  all  the  realities  of  their  actual 
condition,  that  he  was  prepared  to  meet  them  with  the  energy  of 
his  hardy  nature.  This  feeling  seemed  also  common  to  the  natives, 
who  placed  themselves  in  positions  which  commanded  a  full  view 
of  both  shores,  while  their  own  persons  were  effectually  con 
cealed  from  observation.  In  such  circumstances,  common  pru 
dence  dictated  that  Heyward  and  his  companions  should  imitate 
a  caution  that  proceeded  from  so  intelligent  a  source.  The  young 
man  drew  a  pile  of  the  sassafras  from  the  cave,  and  placing  it  in 
the  chasm  which  separated  the  two  caverns,'  it  was  occupied  by 
the  sisters,  who  were  thus  protected  by  the  rocks  from  any  mis 
siles,  while  their  anxiety  was  relieved  by  the  assurance  that  no 
danger  could  approach  without  a  warning.  Heyward  himself 
was  posted  at  hand,  so  near  that  he  might  communicate  with  his 
companions  without  raising  his  voice  to  a  dangerous  elevation, 
while  David,  in  imitation  of  the  woodsmen,  bestowed  his  person 
in  such  a  manner  among  the  fissures  of  the  rocks,  that  his  un 
gainly  limbs  were  no  longer  offensive  to  the  eye. 

In  this  manner,  hours  passed  by  without  further  interruption. 
The  moon  reached  the  zenith,  and  shed  its  mild  light  perpendicu 
larly  on  the  lovely  sight  of  the  sisters  slumbering  peacefully  in 
each  other's  arms.  Duncan  cast  the  wide  shawl  of  Cora  before  a 
spectacle  he  so  much  loved  to  contemplate,  and  then  suffered  his 
own  head  to  seek  a  pillow  on  the  rock.  David  began  to  utter 
sounds  that  would  have  shocked  his  delicate  organs  in  more  wake 
ful  moments;  in  short,  all  but  Hawkeye  and  the  Mohicans  lost 
every  idea  of  consciousness,  in  uncontrollable  drowsiness.  But 
the  watchfulness  of  these  vigilant  protectors  neither  tired  nor 
slumbered.  Immovable  as  that  rock,  of  which  each  appeared  to 
form  a  part,  they  lay,  with  their  eyes  roving,  without  intermission, 
along  the  dark  margin  of  trees  that  bounded  the  adjacent  shores 
of  the  narrow  stream.  Not  a  sound  escaped  them;  the  most  subtle 
examination  could  not  have  told  they  breathed.  It  was  evident 
that  this  excess  of  caution  proceeded  from  an  experience  that  no 
subtlety  on  the  part  of  their  enemies  could  deceive.  It  was,  how 
ever,  continued  without  any  apparent  consequences,  until  the 
moon  had  set,  and  a  pale  streak  above  the  tree-tops,  at  the  bend 
of  the  river  a  little  below,  announced  the  approach  of  day. 


62  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

Then,  for  the  first  time,  Hawkeye  was  seen  to  stir.  He 
crawled  along  the  rock,  and  shook  Duncan  from  his  heavy 
slumbers. 

"Now  is  the  time  to  journey,"  he  whispered;  "awake  the 
gentle  ones,  and  be  ready  to  get  into  the.  canoe  when  I  bring  it 
to  the  landing-place." 

"Have  you  had  a  quiet  night?"  said  Heyward;  "for  myself, 
I  believe  sleep  has  got  the  better  of  my  vigilance." 

"All  is  yet  still  as  midnight.    Be  silent,  but  be  quick." 

By  this  time  Duncan  was  thoroughly  awake,  and  he  im 
mediately  lifted  the  shawl  from  the  sleeping  females.  The  motion 
caused  Cora  to  raise  her  hand  as  if  to  repulse  him,  while  Alice 
murmured,  in  her  soft,  gentle  voice,  "No,  no,  dear  father,  we  were 
not  deserted;  Duncan  was  with  us!" 

"Yes,  sweet  innocence,"  whispered  the  .youth;  "Duncan  is 
here,  and  while  life  continues  or  danger  remains,  he  will  never 
quit  thee.  Cora!  Alice!  awake!  The  hour  has  come  to  move!" 

A  loud  shriek  from  the  younger  of  the  sisters,  and  the  form  of 
the  other  standing  upright  before  him,  in  bewildered  horror,  was 
the  unexpected  answer  he  received.  While  the  words  were  still 
on  the  lips  of  Heyward,  there  had  arisen  such  a  tumult  of  yells 
and  cries  as  served  to  drive  the  swift  currents  of  his  own  blood 
back  from  its  bounding  course  into  the  fountains  of  his  heart.  It 
seemed,  for  near  a  minute,  as  if  demons  of  hell  had  possessed 
themselves  of  the  air  about  them,  and  were  venting  their  savage 
humors  in  barbarous  sounds.  The  cries  came  from  no  particular 
direction,  though  it  was  evident  they  filled  the  woods,  and  as  the 
appalled  listeners  easily  imagined,  the  caverns  of  the  falls,  the 
rocks,  the  bed  of  the  river,  and  the  upper  air.  David  raised  his 
tall  person  in  the  midst  of  the  infernal  din,  with  a  hand  on  either 
ear,  exclaiming — 

"Whence  comes  this  discord!  Has  hell  broke  loose,  that  man 
should  utter  sounds  like  these!" 

The  bright  flashes  and  the  quick  reports  of  a  dozen  rifles,  from 
the  opposite  banks  of  the  stream,  followed  this  incautious  ex 
posure  of  his  person,  and  left  the  unfortunate  singing-master 
senseless  on  that  rock  where  he  had  been  so  long  slumbering.  The 
Mohicans  boldly  sent  back  the  intimidating  yell  of  their  enemies, 
who  raised  a  shout  of  savage  triumph  at  the  fall  of  Gamut.  The 
flash  of  rifles  was  then  quick  and  close  between  them,  but  either 
party  was  too  well  skilled  to  leave  even  a  limb  exposed  to  the 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  63 

hostile  aim.  Duncan  listened  with  intense  anxiety  for  the  strokes 
of  the  paddle,  believing  that  flight  was  now  their  only  refuge. 
The  river  glanced  by  with  its  ordinary  velocity,  but  the  canoe  was 
nowhere  to  be  seen  on  its  dark  waters.  He  had  just  fancied  they 
were  cruelly  deserted  by  the  scout,  as  a  stream  of  flame  issued 
from  the  rock  beneath  him,  and  a  fierce  yell,  blended  with  a  shriek 
of  agony,  announced  that  the  messenger  of  death,  sent  from  the 
fatal  weapon  of  Hawkeye,  had  found  a  victim.  At  this  slight 
repulse  the  assailants  instantly  withdrew,  and  gradually  the  place 
became  as  still  as  before  the  sudden  tumult. 

Duncan  seized  the  favorable  moment  to  spring  to  the  body 
of  Gamut,  which  he  bore  within  the  shelter  of  the  narrow  chasm 
that  protected  the  sisters.  In  another  minute  the  whole  party 
was  collected  in  this  spot  of  comparative  safety. 

"The  poor  fellow  has  saved  his  scalp,"  said  Hawkeye,  coolly 
passing  his  hand  over  the  head  of  David;  "but  he  is  a  proof  that 
a  man  may  be  born  with  too  long  a  tongue!  'Twas  downright 
madness  to  show  six  feet  of  flesh  and  blood,  on  a  naked  rock,  to 
the  raging  savages.  I  only  wonder  he  has  escaped  with  life." 

"Is  he  not  dead!"  demanded  Cora,  in  a  voice  whose  husky 
tones  showed  how  powerfully  natural  horror  struggled  with  her 
assumed  firmness.  "Can  we  do  aught  to  assist  the  wretched 
man?" 

"No,  no!  the  life  is  in  his  heart  yet,  and  after  he  has  slept 
uwhile  he  will  come  to  himself,  and  be  a  wiser  man  for  it,  till  the 
hour  of  his  real  time  shall  come,"  returned  Hawkeye,  casting 
another  oblique  glance  at  the  insensible  body,  while  lie  filled  his 
charger  with  admirable  nicety.  "Carry  him  in,  Uncas,  and  lay 
him  on  the  sassafras.  The  longer  his  nap  lasts  the  better  it  will 
be  for  him,  as  I  doubt  whether  he  can  find  a  proper  cover  for  such 
a  shape  on  these  rocks;  and  singing  won't  do  any  good  with  the 
Iroquois." 

"You  believe,  then,  the  attack  will  be  renewed?"  asked 
Heyward. 

"Do  I  expect  a  hungry  wolf  will  satisfy  his  craving  with  a 
mouthful !  They  have  lost  a  man,  and  'tis  their  fashion,  when  they 
meet  a  loss,  and  fail  in  the  surprise,  to  fall  back;  but  we  shall 
have  them  on  again,  with  new  expedients  to  circumvent  us,  and 
master  our  scalps.  Our  main  hope,"  he  continued,  raising  his 
rugged  countenance,  across  which  a  shade  of  anxiety  just  then 
passed  like  a  darkening  cloud,  "will  be  to  keep  the  rock  until 


64  THE   LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS 

Munro  can  send  a  party  to  our  help !  God  send  it  may  be  soon, 
and  under  a  leader  that  knows  the  Indian  customs  1" 

"You  hear  our  probable  fortunes,  Cora,"  said  Duncan,  "and 
you  know  we  have  everything  to  hope  from  the  anxiety  and  ex 
perience  of  your  father.  Come,  then,  with  Alice,  into  this  cavern, 
where  you,  at  least,  will  be  safe  from  the  murderous  rifles  of  our 
enemies  and  where  you  may  bestow  a  care  suited  to  your  gentle 
natures  on  our  unfortunate  comrade." 

The  sisters  followed  him  into  the  outer  cave,  where  David 
was  beginning,  by  his  sighs,  to  give  symptoms  of  returning  con 
sciousness;  and  then  commending  the  wounded  man  to  their  at 
tention,  he  immediately  prepared  to  leave  them. 

"Duncan!"  said  the  tremulous  voice  of  Cora,  when  he  had 
reached  the  mouth  of  the  cavern.  He  turned,  and  beheld  the 
speaker,  whose  color  had  changed  to  a  deadly  paleness,  and 
whose  lip  quivered,  gazing  after  him,  with  an  expression  of  in 
terest  which  immediately  recalled  him  to  her  side.  "Remember, 
Duncan,  how  necessary  your  safety  is  to  our  own — how  you  bear 
a  father's  sacred  trust — how  much  depends  on  your  discretion  and 
care — in  short,"  she  added,  while  the  tell-tale  blood  stole  over  her 
features,  crimsoning  her  very  temples,  "how  very  deservedly  dear 
you  are  to  all  of  the  name  of  Munro." 

"If  anything  could  add  to  my  own  base  love  of  life,"  said 
Heyward,  suffering  his  unconscious  eyes  to  wander  to  the  youth 
ful  form  of  the  silent  Alice,  "it  would  be  so  kind  an  assurance. 
As  major  of  the  60th,  our  honest  host  will  tell  you  I  must  take 
my  share  of  the  fray;  but  our  task  will  be  easy;  it  is  merely  to 
keep  these  blood-hounds  at  bay  for  a  few  hours." 

Without  waiting  for  reply,  he  tore  himself  from  the  presence 
of  the  sisters,  and  joined  the  scout  and  his  companions,  who  still 
lay  within  the  protection  of  the  little  chasm  between  the  two  caves. 

"I  tell  you,  Uncas,"  said  the  former,  as  Heyward  joined 
them,  "you  are  wasteful  of  your  powder,  and  the  kick  of  the  rifle 
disconcerts  your  aim!  Little  powder,  light  lead,  and  a  long  arm, 
seldom  fail  of  bringing  the  death  screech  from  a  Mingo !  At  least, 
such  has  been  my  experience  with  the  creatur's.  Come,  friends ; 
let  us  to  our  covers,  for  no  man  can  tell  when  or  where  a  Maqua  l 
will  strike  his  blow." 

i  Mingo  was  the  Delaware  term  for  the  Five  Nations.  Maquas  was  the  name  given 
them  by  the  Dutch.  The  French,  from  their  first  intercourse  with  them,  called  them 
Iroquois. 


THE    LAST    OF,    THE    MOHICANS  65 

The  Indians  silently  repaired  to  their  appointed  stations, 
which  were  fissures  in  the  rocks,  whence  they  could  command  the 
approaches  to  the  foot  of  the  falls.'  In  the  centre  of  the  little 
island,  a  few  short  and  stunted  pines  had  found  root,  forming 
a  thicket,  into  which  Hawkeye  darted  with  the  swiftness  of  a 
deer,  followed  by  the  active  Duncan.  Here  they  secured  them 
selves,  as  well  as  circumstances  would  permit,  among  the  shrubs 
and  fragments  of  stone  that  were  scattered  about  the  place. 
Above  them  was  a  bare,  rounded  rock,  on  each  side  of  which  the 
water  played  its  gambols,  and  plunged  into  the  abysses  beneath, 
in  the  manner  already  described.  As  the  day  had  now  dawned, 
the  opposite  shores  no  longer  presented  a  confused  outline,  but 
they  were  able  to  look  into  the  woods,  and  distinguish  objects 
beneath  the  canopy  of  gloomy  pines. 

A  long  and  anxious  watch  succeeded,  but  without  any  further 
evidences  of  a  renewed  attack;  and  Duncan  began  to  hope  that 
their  fire  had  proved  more  fatal  than  was  supposed,  and  that 
their  enemies  had  been  effectually  repulsed.  When  he  ventured 
to  utter  this  impression  to  his  companion,  it  was  met  by  Hawkeye 
with  an  incredulous  shake  of  the  head. 

"You  know  not  the  nature  of  a  Maqua,  if  you  think  he  is  so 
easily  beaten  back  without  a  scalp !"  he  answered.  "If  there  was 
one  of  the  imps  yelling  this  morning,  there  were  forty!  and  they 
know  our  number  and  quality  too  well  to  give  up  the  chase  so 
soon.  Hist!  look  into  the  water  above,  just  where  it  breaks  over 
the  rocks.  I  am  no  mortal,  if  the  risky  devils  haven't  swam  down 
upon  the  very  pitch,  and,  as  bad  luck  would  have  it,  they  have 
hit  the  head  of  the  island.  Hist!  man,  keep  close!  or  the  hair 
will  be  off  your  crown  in  the  turning  of  a  knife!" 

Heyward  lifted  his  head  from  the  cover,  and  beheld  what 
he  justly  considered  a  prodigy  of  rashness  and  skill.  The  river 
had  worn  away  the  edge  of  the  soft  rock  in  such  a  manner,  as  to 
render  its  first  pitch  less  abrupt  and  perpendicular  than  is  usual 
at  waterfalls.  With  no  other  guide  than  the  ripple  of  the  stream 
where  it  met  the  head  of  the  island,  a  party  of  their  insatiable  foes 
had  ventured  into  the  current,  and  swam  down  upon  this  point, 
knowing  the  ready  access  it  would  give,  if  successful,  to  their 
intended  victims.  As  Hawkeye  ceased  speaking,  four  human 
heads  could  be  seen  peering  above  a  few  logs  of  drift-wood  that 
had  lodged  on  these  naked  rocks,  and  which  had  probably  sug 
gested  the  idea  of  the  practicability  of  the  hazardous  undertaking. 


66  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

At  the  next  moment,  a  fifth  form  was  seen  floating  over  the  green 
edge  of  the  fall,  a  little  from  the  line  of  the  island.  The  savage 
struggled  powerfully  to  gain  the  point  of  safety,  and,  favored  by 
the  glancing  water,  he  was  already  stretching  forth  an  arm  to 
meet  the  grasp  of  his  companions,  when  he  shot  away  again  with 
the  whirling  current,  appeared  to  rise  into  the  air,  with  uplifted 
arms  and  starting  eyeballs,  and  fell,  with  a  sullen  plunge,  into 
that  deep  and  yawning  abyss  over  which  he  hovered.  A  single, 
wild,  despairing  shriek  rose  from  the  cavern,  and  all  was  hushed 
again,  as  the  grave.  ' 

The  first  generous  impulse  of  Duncan  was  to  rush  to  the 
rescue  of  the  hapless  wretch;  but  he  felt  himself  bound  to  the  spot 
by  the  iron  grasp  of  the  immovable  scout. 

"Would  ye  bring  certain  death  upon  us,  by  telling  the  Mingos 
where  we  lie?"  demanded  Hawkeye,  sternly;  "'tis  a  charge  of 
powder  saved,  and  ammunition  is  as  precious  now  as  breath  to  a 
worried  deer !  Freshen  the  priming  of  your  pistols — the  mist  of 
the  falls  is  apt  to  dampen  the  brimstone — and  stand  firm  for  a 
close  struggle,  while  I  fire  on  their  rush." 

He  placed  his  finger  in  his  mouth,  and  drew  a  long,  shrill 
whistle,  which  was  answered  from  the  rocks  that  were  guarded 
by  the  Mohicans.  Duncan  caught  glimpses  of  heads  above  the 
scattered  drift-wood,  as  this  signal  rose  on  the  air,  but  they  dis 
appeared  again  as  suddenly  as  they  had  glanced  upon  his  sight. 
A  low,  rustling  sound  next  drew  his  attention  behind  him,  and 
.turning  his  head,  he  beheld  Uncas  within  a  few  feet,  creeping 
to  his  side.  Hawkeye  spoke  to  him  in  Delaware,  when  the  young 
chief  took  his  position  with  singular  caution  and  undisturbed 
coolness.  To  Heyward  this  was  a  moment  of  feverish  and  im 
patient  suspense;  though  the  scout  saw  fit  to  select  it  as  a  fit  occa 
sion  to  read  a  lecture  to  his  more  youthful  associates  on  the  art 
of  using  fire-arms  with  discretion. 

"Of  all  we'pons,"  he  commenced,  "the  long-barrelled,  true- 
grooved,  soft-metalled  rifle  is  the  most  dangerous  in  skilful  hands, 
though  it  wants  a  strong  arm,  a  quick  eye,  and  great  judgment 
in  charging,  to  put  forth  all  its  beauties.  The  gunsmiths  can 
have  but  little  insight  into  their  trade,  when  they  make  their 
fowling-pieces  and  short  horsemen's — " 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  low  but  expressive  "Hugh  1"  of 
Uncas. 

"I  see  them,  boy,  I  see  them!"  continued  Hawkeye;  "they 


Copyright  by  Charles  Scrilmer's  Sons 


THE  BATTLE  AT   GLENS   FALLS 

Each  of  the  combatants  threw  all  his  energies  into  that 
effort,  and  the  result  was,  thai  both  tottered  on  the 
brink  of  the  precipice 


dipt/right  by  t  fuirle.t 


THE   BATTLE  AT  GLENS   FALLS 

Each  of  the  combatants  ihreu'  all  his  energies  into  that 
effort,  and  the  result  was,  that  both  tottered  on  the 
brink  of  (he  precipice 


THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  67 

are  gathering  for  the  rush,  or  they  would  keep  their  dingy  backs 
below  the  logs.  Well,  let  them,"  he  added,  examining  his  flint; 
"the  leading  man  certainly  comes  on  to  his  death,  though  it 
should  be  Montcalm  himself  1" 

At  that  moment  the  woods  were  filled  with  another  burst  of 
cries,  and  at  the  signal  four  savages  sprang  from  the  cover  of 
the  drift-wood.  Heyward  felt  a  burning  desire  to  rush  forward 
to  meet  them,  so  intense  was  the  delirious  anxiety  of  the  moment ; 
but  he  was  restrained  by  the  deliberate  examples  of  the  scout 
and  Uncas.  When  their  foes  who  leaped  over  the  black  rock  that 
divided  them,  with  long  bounds,  uttering  the  wildest  yells,  were 
within  a  few  rods,  the  rifle  of  Hawkeye  slowly  rose  among  the 
shrubs,  and  poured  out  its  fatal  contents.  The  foremost  Indian 
bounded  like  a  stricken  deer,  and  fell  headlong  among  the  clefts 
of  the  island. 

"Now,  Uncas!"  cried  the  scout,  drawing  his  long  knife,  while 
his  quick  eyes  began  to  flash  with  ardor,  "take  the  last  of  the 
screeching  imps;  of  the  other  two  we  are  sartain!" 

He  was  obeyed;  and  but  two  enemies  remained  to  be  over 
come.  Heyward  had  given  one  of  his  pistols  to  Hawkeye,  and 
together  they  rushed  down  a  little  declivity  towards  their  foes; 
they  discharged  their  weapons  at  the  same  instant,  and  equally 
without  success. 

"I  know'd  it!  and  I  said  it!"  muttered  the  scout,  whirling  the 
despised  little  implement  over  the  falls  with  bitter  disdain. 
"Come  on,  ye  bloody  minded  hell-hounds!  ye  meet  a  man  without 
a  cross!" 

The  words  were  barely  uttered,  when  he  encountered  a  savage 
of  gigantic  stature,  and  of  the  fiercest  mien.  At  the  same  moment, 
Duncan  found  himself  engaged  with  the  other,  in  a  similar  con 
test  of  hand  to  hand.  With  ready  skill,  Hawkeye  and  his  antago 
nist  each  grasped  that  uplifted  arm  of  the  other  which  held  the 
dangerous  knife.  For  near  a  minute  they  stood  looking  one  an 
other  in  the  eye,  and  gradually  exerting  the  power  of  their 
muscles  for  the  mastery.  At  length,  the  toughened  sinews  of  the 
white  man  prevailed  over  the  less  practised  limbs  of  the  native. 
The  arm  of  the  latter  slowly  gave  way  before  the  increasing 
force  of  the  scout,  who  suddenly  wresting  his  armed  hand  from 
the  grasp  of  the  foe,  drove  the  sharp  weapon  through  his  naked 
bosom  to  the  heart.'  In  the  meantime  Heyward  had  been  pressed 
in  a  more  deadly  struggle.  His  slight  sword  was  snapped  in  the 


68  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

first  encounter.  As  he  was  destitute  of  any  other  means  of  de 
fence,  his  safety  now  depended  entirely  on  bodily  strength  and 
resolution.  Though  deficient  in  neither  of  these  qualities,  he  had 
met  an  enemy  every  way  his  equal.  Happily,  he  soon  succeeded 
in  disarming  his  adversary,  whose  knife  fell  on  the  rock  at  their 
feet;  and  from  this  moment  it  became  a  fierce  struggle,  who 
should  cast  the  other  over  the  dizzy  height  into  a  neighboring 
cavern  of  the  falls.  Every  successive  struggle  brought  them 
nearer  to  the  verge,  where  Duncan  perceived  the  final  and  con 
quering  effort  must  be  made.  Each  of  the  combatants  threw  all 
his  energies  into  that  effort,  and  the  result  was,  that  both  tottered 
on  the  brink  of  the  precipice.  Heyward  felt  the  grasp  of  the 
other  at  his  throat,  and  saw  the  grim  smile  the  savage  gave,  under 
the  revengeful  hope  that  he  hurried  his  enemy  to  a  fate  similar  to 
his  own,  as  he  felt  his  body  slowly  yielding  to  a  resistless  power, 
and  the  young  man  experienced  the  passing  agony  of  such  a 
moment  in  all  its  horrors.  At  that  instant  of.  extreme  danger,  a 
dark  hand  and  glancing  knife  appeared  before  him;  the  Indian 
released  his  hold,  as  the  blood  flowed  freely  from  around  the 
several  tendons  of  the  wrist ;  and  while  Duncan  was  drawn  back 
ward  by  the  saving  arm  of  Uncas,  his  charmed  eyes  were  still 
riveted  on  the  fierce  and  disappointed  countenance  of  his  foe,  who 
fell  sullenly  and  disappointed  down  the  irrecoverable  precipice. 

"To  cover!  to  cover!"  cried  Hawkeye,  who  just  then  had 
despatched  the  enemy ;  "to  cover,  for  your  lives !  the  work  is  but 
half  ended!" 

The  young  Mohican  gave  a  shout  of  triumph,  and,  followed 
by  Duncan,  he  glided  up  the  acclivity  they  had  descended  to  the 
combat,  and  sought  the  friendly  shelter  of  the  rocks  and  shrubs. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

"They  linger  yet, 
Avengers  of  their  native  land." 

GHAT. 

THE  warning  call  of  the  scout  was  not  uttered  without  occasion. 
During  the  occurrence  of  the  deadly  encounter  just  related,  the 
roar  of  the  falls  was  unbroken  by  any  human  sound  whatever.  It 
would  seem  that  interest  in  the  result  had  kept  the  natives  on  the 
opposite  shores  in  breathless  suspense,  while  the  quick  evolutions 
and  swift  changes  in  the  position  of  the  combatants,  effectually 
prevented  a  fire  that  might  prove  dangerous  alike  to  friend  and 
enemy.  But  the  moment  the  struggle  was  decided,  a  yell  arose  as 
fierce  and  savage  as  wild  and  revengful  passions  could  throw  into 
the  air.  It  was  followed  by  the  swift  flashes  of  the  rifles,  which 
sent  their  leaden  messengers  across  the  rock  in  volleys,  as  though 
the  assailants  would  pour  out  their  impotent  fury  on  the  insensible 
scene  of  the  fatal  contest. 

A  steady,  though  deliberate  return  was  made  from  the  rifle  of 
Chingachgook,  who  had  maintained  his  post  throughout  the  fray 
with  unmoved  resolution.  When  the  triumphant  shout  of  Uncas 
was  borne  to  his  ears,  the  gratified  father  raised  his  voice  in  a 
single  responsive  cry,  after  which  his  busy  piece  alone  proved  that 
he  still  guarded  his  pass  with  unwearied  diligence.  In  this  man 
ner  many  minutes  flew  by  with  the  swiftness  of  thought:  the  rifles 
of  the  assailants  speaking,  at  times,  in  rattling  volleys,  and  at 
others,  in  occasional,  scattering  shots.  Though  the  rock,  the  trees, 
and  the  shrubs,  were  cut  and  torn  in  a  hundred  places  around  the 
besieged,  their  cover  was  so  close,  and  so  rigidly  maintained^that, 
as  yet,  David  had  been  the  only  sufferer  in  their  little  band.] 

"Let 'them  burn  their  powder,"  said  the  deliberate  scout,  while 
bullet  after  bullet  whizzed  by  the  place  where  he  securely  lay; 
"there  will  be  a  fine  gathering  of  lead  when  it  is  over,  and  I  fancy 
the  imps  will  tire  of  the  sport,  afore  these  old  stones  cry  out  for 
mercy  1  Uncas,  boy,  you  waste  the  kernels  by  overcharging :  and 

69 


70  THE   LAST   OF,   THE   MOHICANS 

a  kicking  rifle  never  carries  a  true  bullet.  I  told  you  to  take  that 
loping  miscreant  under  the  line  of  white  paint;  now,  if  your  bullet 
went  a  hair's  breadth,  it  went  two  inches  above  it.  The  life  lies 
low  in  a  Mingo,  and  humanity  teaches  us  to  make  a  quick  end  of 
the  sarpents." 

A  quiet  smile  lighted  the  haughty  features  of  the  young 
Mohican,  betraying  his  knowledge  of  the  English  language,  as 
well  as  of  the  other's  meaning;  but  he  suffered  it  to  pass  away 
without  vindication  or  reply. 

"I  cannot  permit  you  to  accuse  Uncas  of  want  of  judgment 
or  of  skill,"  said  Duncan;  "he  saved  my  life  in  the  coolest  and 
readiest  manner,  and  he  has  made  a  friend  who  never  will  require 
to  be  reminded  of  the  debt  he  owes." 

Uncas  partly  raised  his  body,  and  offered  his  hand  to  the 
grasp  of  Heyward.  During  this  act  of  friendship,  the  two  young 
men  exchanged  looks  of  intelligence  which  caused  Duncan  to 
forget  the  character  and  condition  of  his  wild  associate. .1  In  the 
meanwhile,  Hawkeye,  who  looked  on  this  burst  of  youthful  feel 
ing  with  a  cool  but  kind  regard,  made  the  following  reply  :— 

"Life  is  an  obligation  which  friends  often  owe  each  other  in 
the  wilderness.  I  dare  say  I  may  have  served  Uncas  some  such 
turn  myself  before  now;  and  I  very  well  remember  that  he  has 
stood  between  me  and  death  five  different  times :  three  times  from 
the  Mingos,  once  in  crossing  Horican,  and — ". 

"That  bullet  was  better  aimed  than  common!"  exclaimed 
Duncan,  involuntarily  shrinking  from  a  shot  which  struck  the 
rock  at  his  side  with  a  smart  rebound. 

Hawkeye  laid  his  hand  on  the  shapeless  metal,  and  shook  his 
head,  as  he  examined  it,  saying,  "Falling  lead  is  never  flattened! 
had  it  come  from  the  clouds  this  might  have  happened!" 

But  the  rifle  of  Uncas  was  deliberately  raised  towards  the 
heavens,  directing  his  companions  to  a  point,  where  the  mystery 
was  immediately  explained.  A  ragged  oak  grew  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  nearly  opposite  to  their  position,  which,  seeking 
the  freedom  of  the  open  space,  had  inclined  so  far  forward,  that 
its  upper  branches  overhung  that  arm  of  the  stream  which  flowed 
nearest  to  its  own  shore.  Among  the  topmost  leaves,  which 
scantily  concealed  the  gnarled  and  stunted  limbs,  a  savage  was 
nestled,  partly  concealed  by  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  and  partly 
exposed,  as  though  looking  down  upon  them  to  ascertain  the 
effect  produced  by  his  treacherous  aim. 


THE   LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  71 

"These  devils  will  scale  heaven  to  circumvent  us  to  our  ruin," 
said  Hawkeye;  "keep  him  in  play,  boy,  until  I  can  bring  'Kill- 
deer'  to  bear,  when  we  will  try  his  metal  on  each  side  of  the  tree 
at  once." 

Uncas  delayed  his  fire  until  the  scout  uttered  the  word.  The 
rifles  flashed,  the  leaves  and  the  bark  of  the  oak  flew  into  the  air, 
and  were  scattered  by  the  wind,  but  the  Indian  answered  their 
assault  by  a  taunting  laugh,  sending  down  upon  them  another 
bullet  in  return,  that  struck  the  cap  of  Hawkeye  from  his  head. 
Once  more  the  savage  yells  burst  out  of  the  woods,  and  the  leaden 
hail  whistled  above  the  heads  of  the  besieged,  as  if  to  confine  them 
to  a  place  where  they  might  become  easy  victims  to  the  enterprise 
of  the  warrior  who  had  -mounted  the  tree. 

"This  must  be  looked  to!"  said  the  scout,  glancing  about  him 
with  an  anxious  eye.  "Uncas,  call  up  your  father;  we  have  need 
of  all  our  we'pons  to  bring  the  cunning  varmint  from  his  roost." 

The  signal  was  instantly  given ;  and,  before  Hawkeye  had  re 
loaded  his  rifle,  they  were  joined  by  Chingachgook.  When  his 
son  pointed  out  to  the  experienced  warrior  the  situation  of  their 
dangerous  enemy,  the  usual  exclamatory  "Hugh!"  burst  from  his 
lips ;  after  which,  no  further  expression  of  surprise  or  alarm  was 
suffered  to  escape  him.  Hawkeye  and  the  Mohicans  conversed 
earnestly  together  in  Delaware  for  a  few  moments,  when  each 
quietly  took  his  post,  in  order  to  execute  the  plan  they  had 
speedily  devised. 

The  warrior  in  the  oak  had  maintained  a  quick,  though  in 
effectual  fire,  from  the  moment  of  his  discovery.  But  his  aim 
was  interrupted  by  the  vigilance  of  his  enemies,  whose  rifles  in 
stantaneously  bore  on  any  part  of  his  person  that  was  left  ex 
posed.  Still  his  bullets  fell  in  the  centre  of  the  crouching  party. 
The  clothes  of  Heyward,  which  rendered  him  peculiarly  con 
spicuous,  were  repeatedly  cut,  and  once  blood  was  drawn  from  a 
slight  wound  in  his  arm. 

At  length,  emboldened  by  the  long  and  patient  watchfulness 
of  his  enemies,  the  Huron  attempted  a  better  and  more  fatal 
aim.  The  quick  eye  of  the  Mohicans  caught  the  dark  line  of  his 
lower  limbs  incautiously  exposed  through  the  thin  foliage,  a  few 
inches  from  the  trunk  of  the  tree.  Their  rifles  made  a  common 
report,  when,  sinking  on  his  wounded  limb,  part  of  the  body  of 
the  savage  came  into  view.  Swift  as  thought,  Hawkeye  seized 
the  advantage  and  discharged  his  fatal  weapon  into  the  top  of 


72  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

the  oak.  The  leaves  were  unusually  agitated ;  the  dangerous  rifle 
fell  from  its  commanding  elevation,  and  after  a  few  moments  of 
vain  struggling,  the  form  of  the  savage  was  seen  swinging  in  the 
wind,  while  he  still  grasped  a  ragged  and  naked  branch  of  the 
tree,  with  hands  clenched  in  desperation. 

"Give  him,  in  pity  give  him — the  contents  of  another  rifle!" 
cried  Duncan,  turning  away  his  eyes  in  horror  from  the  spectacle 
of  a  fellow-creature  in  such  awful  jeopardy. 

"Not  a  karnel!"  exclaimed  the  obdurate  Hawkeye;  "his  death 
is  certain,  and  we  have  no  powder  to  spare,  for  Indian  rights 
sometimes  last  for  days;  'tis  their  scalps  or  ours! — and  God,  who 
made  us,  has  put  into  our  natures  the  craving  to  keep  the  skin  on 
the  head!" 

Against  this  stern  and  unyielding  morality,  supported  as  it 
was  by  such  visible  policy,  there  was  no  appeal.  From  that  mo 
ment  the  yells  in  the  forest  once  more  ceased,  the  fire  was  suffered 
to  decline,  and  all  eyes,  those  of  friends  as  well  as  enemies,  became 
fixed  on  the  hopeless  condition  of  the  wretch  who  was  dangling 
between  heaven  and  earth.  The  body  yielded  to  the  currents  of 
air,  and  though  no  murmur  or  groan  escaped  the  victim,  there 
were  instants  when  he  grimly  faced  his  foes,  and  the  anguish  of 
cold  despair  might  be  traced,  through  the  intervening  distance,  in 
possession  of  his  swarthy  lineaments.  Three  several  times  the 
scout  raised  his  piece  in  mercy,  and  as  often  prudence  getting  the 
better  of  his  intention,  it  was  again  silently  lowered.  At  length 
one  hand  of  the  Huron  lost  its  hold,  and  dropped  exhausted  to  his 
side.  A  desperate  and  fruitless  struggle  to  recover  the  branch 
succeeded,  and  then  the  savage  was  seen  for  a  fleeting  instant, 
grasping  wildly  at  the  empty  air.  The  lightning  is  not  quicker 
than  was  the  flame  from  the  rifle  of  Hawkeye;  the  limbs  of  the 
victim  trembled  and  contracted,  the  head  fell  to  the  bosom,  and 
the  body  parted  the  foaming  waters  like  lead,  when  the  element 
closed  above  it,  in  its  ceaseless  velocity,  and  every  vestige  of  the 
unhappy  Huron  was  lost  forever. 

No  shout  of  triumph  succeeded  this  important  advantage,  but 
even  the  Mohicans  gazed  at  each  other  in  silent  horror.  A  single 
yell  burst  from  the  woods,  and  all  was  again  still.  Hawkeye, 
who  alone  appeared  to  reason  on  the  occasion,  shook  his  head  at 
his  own  momentary  weakness,  even  uttering  his  self-disapproba 
tion  aloud. 

;  'Twas  the  last  charge  in  my  horn,  and  the  last  bullet  in  my 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  73 

pouch,  and  'twas  the  act  of  a  boy!"  he  said;  "what  mattered  it 
whether  he  struck  the  rock  living  or  dead!  feeling  would  soon  be 
over.  Uncas,  lad,  go  down  to  the  canoe,  and  bring  up  the  big 
horn ;  it  is  all  the  powder  we  have  left,  and  we  shall  need  it  to  the 
last  grain,  or  I  am  ignorant  of  the  Mingo  nature." 

The  young  Mohican  complied,  leaving  the  scout  turning  over 
the  useless  contents  of  his  pouch,  and  shaking  the  empty  horn 
with  renewed  discontent.  From  this  unsatisfactory  examination, 
however,  he  was  soon  called  by  a  loud  and  piercing  exclamation 
from  Uncas,  that  sounded,  even  to  the  unpractised  ears  of  Dun 
can,  as  the  signal  of  some  new  and  unexpected  calamity.  Every 
thought  filled  with  apprehension  for  the  precious  treasure  he  had 
concealed  in  the  cavern,  the  young  man  started  to  his  feet,  totally 
regardless  of  the  hazard  he  incurred  by  such  an  exposure.  As  if 
actuated  by  a  common  impulse,  his  movement  was  imitated  by  his 
companions,  and,  together,  they  rushed  down  the  pass  to  the 
friendly  chasm,  with  a  rapidity  that  rendered  the  scattering  fire 
of  their  enemies  perfectly  harmless.  The  unwonted  cry  had 
brought  the  sisters,  together  with  the  wounded  David,  from  their 
place  of  refuge;  and  the  whole  party,  at  a  single  glance,  was 
made  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  the  disaster  that  had  dis 
turbed  even  the  practised  stoicism  of  their  youthful  Indian 
protector. 

At  a  short  distance  from  the  rock,  their  little  bark  was  to  be 
seen  floating  across  the  eddy,  towards  the  swift  current  of  the 
river,  in  a  manner  which  proved  that  its  course  was  directed  by 
some  hidden  agent.  The  instant  this  unwelcome  sight  caught  the 
eye  of  the  scout,  his  rifle  was  levelled  as  by  instinct,  but  the  barrel 
gave  no  answer  to  the  bright  sparks  of  the  flint.. 

"  'Tis  too  late,  'tis  too  late!"  Hawkeye  exclaimed,  dropping 
the  useless  piece  in  bitter  disappointment;  "the  miscreant  has 
struck  the  rapid;  and  had  we  powder,  it  could  hardly  send  the 
lead  swifter  than  he  now  goesl" 

The  adventurous  Huron  raised  his  head  above  the  shelter  of 
the  canoe,  and  while  it  glided  swiftly  down  the  stream,  he  waved 
his  hand,  and  gave  forth  the  shout,  which  was  the  known  signal 
of  success.  His  cry  was  answered  by  a  yell  and  a  laugh  from 
the  woods,  as  tauntingly  exulting  as  if  fifty  demons  were  uttering 
their  blasphemies  at  the  fall  of  some  Christian  soul. 

"Well  may  you  laugh,  ye  children  of  the  devil!"  said  the  scout, 
seating  himself  on  a  projection  of  the  rock,  and  suffering  his  gun 


74  THE    LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS 

to  fall  neglected  at  his  feet,  "for  the  three  quickest  and  surest 
rifles  in  these  woods  are  no  better  than  so  many  stalks  of  mullein, 
or  the  last  year's  horns  of  a  buck!" 

"What  is  to  be  done?"  demanded  Duncan,  losing  the  first 
feeling  of  disappointment  in  a  more  manly  desire  for  exertion; 
"what  will  become  of  us?" 

Hawkeye  made  no  other  reply  than  by  passing  his  finger 
around  the  crown  of  his  head,  in  a  manner  so  significant,  that 
none  who  witnessed  the  action  could  mistake  its  meaning. 

"Surely,  surely,  our  case  is  not  so  desperate!"  exclaimed  the 
youth ;  "the  Hurons  are  not  here ;  we  may  make  good  the  caverns ; 
we  may  oppose  their  landing." 

"With  what?"  coolly  demanded  the  scout.  "The  arrows 
of  Uncas,  or  such  tears  as  women  shed !  No,  no ;  you  are  young, 
and  rich,  and  have  friends,  and  at  such  an  age  I  know  it  is  hard 
to  die !  But,"  glancing  his  eyes  at  the  Mohicans,  "let  us  remember 
we  are  men  without  a  cross,  and  let  us  teach  these  natives  of  the 
forest  that  white  blood  can  run  as  freely  as  red,  when  the  ap 
pointed  hour  is  come." 

Duncan  turned  quickly  in  the  direction  indicated  by  the 
other's  eyes,  and  read  a  confirmation  of  his  worst  apprehensions 
in  the  conduct  of  the  Indians.  Chingachgook,  placing  himself  in 
a  dignified  posture  on  another  fragment  of  the  rock,  had  already 
laid  aside  his  knife  and  tomahawk,  and  was  in  the  act  of  taking 
the  eagle's  plume  from  his  head,  and  smoothing  the  solitary  tuft 
of  hair  in  readiness  to  perform  its  last  and  revolting  office.  His 
countenance  was  composed,  though  thoughtful,  while  his  dark 
gleaming  eyes  were  gradually  losing  the  fierceness  of  the  combat 
in  an  expression  better  suited  to  the  change  he  expected  momen 
tarily  to  undergo. 

"Our  case  is  not,  cannot  be  so  hopeless!"  said  Duncan;  "even 
at  this  moment  succor  may  be  at  hand.  I  see  no  enemies!  they 
have  sickened  of  a  struggle  in  which  they  risk  so  much  with  so 
little  prospect  of  gain!" 

"It  may  be  a  minute,  or  it  may  be  an  hour,  afore  the  wily 
sarpents  steal  upon  us,  and  it  is  quite  in  natur'  for  them  to  be 
lying  within  hearing  at  this  very  moment,"  said  Hawkeye;  "but 
come  they  will,  and  in  such  a  fashion  as  will  leave  us  nothing  to 
hope!  Chingachgook" — he  spoke  in  Delaware — "my  brother, 
we  have  fought  our  last  battle  together,  and  the  Maquas  will 
triumph  in  the  death  of  the  sage  man  of  the  Mohicans,  and  of  the 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  75 

pale-face,  whose  eyes  can  make  night  as  day,  and  level  the  clouds 
to  the  mists  of  the  springs!" 

"Let  the  Mingo  women  go  weep  over  their  slain!"  returned 
the  Indian,  with  characteristic  pride  and  unmoved  firmness;  "the 
Great  Snake  of  the, Mohicans  has  coiled  himself  in  their  wigwams, 
and  has  poisoned  their  triumph  with  the  wailings  of  children 
whose  fathers  have  not  returned!  Ele\en  warriors  lie  hid  from 
the  graves  of  their  trihes  since  the  snows  have  melted,  and  none 
will  tell  where  to  find  them  when  the  tongue  of  Chingachgook 
shall  be  silent!  Let  them  draw  the  sharpest  knife,  and  whirl  the 
swiftest  tomahawk,  for  their  bitterest  enemy  is  in  their  hands. 
Uncas,  topmost  branch  of  a  noble  trunk,  c.all  on  the  cowards  to 
hasten  or  their  hearts  will  soften,  and  they  will  change  to  women!" 

"They  look  among  the  fishes  for  their  dead!"  returned  the 
low,  soft  voice  of  the  youthful  chieftain;  "the  Hurons  float  with 
the  slimy  eels !  They  drop  from  the  oaks  like  fruit  that  is  ready  to 
be  eaten!  and  the  Delawares  laugh!" 

"Ay,  ay,"  muttered  the  scout,  who  had  listened  to  this  peculiar 
burst  of  the  natives  with  deep  attention;  "they  have  warmed 
their  Indian  feelings,  and  they'll  soon  provoke  the  Maquas  to  give 
them  a  speedy  end.  As  for  me,  who  am  of  the  whole  blood  of 
the  whites,  it  is  befitting  that  I  should  die  as  becomes  my  color, 
with  no  words  of  scoffing  in  my  mouth,  and  without  bitterness  at 
the  heart!" 

"Why  die  at  all!"  said  Cora,  advancing  from  the  place  where 
natural  horror  had,  until  this  moment,  held  her  riveted  to  the 
rock;  "the  path  is  open  on  every  side;  fly,  then,  to  the  woods,  and 
call  on  God  for  succor.  Go,  brave  men,  we  owe  you  too  much 
already ;  let  us  no  longer  involve  you  in  our  hapless  fortunes !" 

"You  but  little  know  the  craft  of  the  Iroquois,  lady,  if  you 
judge  they  have  left  the  path  open  to  the  woods!"  returned 
Hawkeye,  who,  however,  immediately  added  in  his  simplicity, 
"the  down  stream  current,  it  is  certain,  might  soon  sweep  us 
beyond  the  reach  of  their  rifles  or  the  sounds  of  their  voices." 

"Then  try  the  river.  Why  linger  to  add  to  the  number  of  the 
victims  of  our  merciless  enemies?" 

"Why,"  repeated  the  scout,  looking  about  him  proudly,  "be 
cause  it  is  better  for  a  man  to  die  at  peace  with  himself  than  to 
live  haunted  by  an  evil  conscience!  What  answer  could  we  give 
Munro,  when  he  asked  us  where  and  how  we  left  his  children?" 

"Go  to  him,  and  say,  that  you  left  them  with  a  message  to 


76  THE    LAST    OF,    THE   MOHICANS 

hasten  to  their  aid,"  returned  Cora,  advancing  nigher  to  the  scout, 
in  her  generous  ardor;  "that  the  Hurons  bear  them  into  the  north 
ern  wilds,  but  that  by  vigilance  and  speed  they  may  yet  be 
rescued;  and  if,  after  all,  it  should  please  heaven  that  his  assist 
ance  come  too  late,  bear  to  him,"  she  continued,  her  voice  gradu 
ally  lowering,  until  it  seemed  nearly  choked,  "the  love,  the  bless 
ings,  the  final  prayers  of  his  daughters,  and  bid  him  not  mourn 
their  early  fate,  but  to  look  forward  with  humble  confidence  to 
the  Christian's  goal  to  meet  his  children." 

The  hard,  weather-beaten  features  of  the  scout  began  to  work, 
and  when  she  had  ended,  he  dropped  his  chin  to  his  hand,  like  a 
man  musing  profoundly  on  the  nature  of  the  proposal. 

"There  is  reason  in  her  words  1"  at  length  broke  from  his  com 
pressed  and  trembling  lips;  "ay,  and  they  bear  the  spirit  of 
Christianity ;  what  might  be  right  and  proper  in  a  redskin,  may  be 
sinful  in  a  man  who  has  not  even  a  cross  in  blood  to  plead  for  his 
ignorance.  Chingachgook !  Uncas !  hear  you  the  talk  of  the  dark- 
eyed  woman!" 

He  now  spoke  in  Delaware  to  his  companions,  and  his  address, 
though  calm  and  deliberate,  seemed  very  decided.  The  elder 
Mohican  heard  him  with  deep  gravity,  and  appeared  to  ponder 
on  his  words,  as  though  he  felt  the  importance  of  their  import. 
After  a  moment  of  hesitation,  he  waved  his  hand  in  assent,  and 
uttered  the  English  word  "Good!"  with  the  peculiar  emphasis  of 
his  people.  Then,  replacing  his  knife  and  tomahawk  in  his  girdle, 
the  warrior  moved  silently  to  the  edge  of  the  rock  which  was  most 
concealed  from  the  banks  of  the  river.  Here  he  paused  a  moment, 
pointed  significantly  to  the  woods  below,  and  saying  a  few  words 
in  his  own  language,  as  if  indicating  his  intended  route,  he 
dropped  into  the  water,  and  sank  from  before  the  eyes  of  the 
witnesses  of  his  movements. 

The  scout  delayed  his  departure  to  speak  to  the  generous  girl, 
whose  breathing  became  lighter  as  she  saw  the  success  of  her 
remonstrance. 

"Wisdom  is  sometimes  given  to  the  young,  as  well  as  to  the 
old,"  he  said;  "and  what  you  have  spoken  is  wise,  not  to  call  it 
by  a  better  word.  If  you  are  led  into  the  woods,  that  is  such  of 
you  as  may  be  spared  for  a  while,  break  the  twigs  on  the  bushes 
as  you  pass,  and  make  the  marks  of  your  trail  as  broad  as  you 
can,  when,  if  mortal  eyes  can  see  them,  depend  on  having  a  friend 
who  will  follow  to  the  ends  of  'arth  afore  he  desarts  you." 


THE   LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS  77 

He  gave  Cora  an  affectionate  shake  of  the  hand,  lifted  his 
rifle,  and  after  regarding  it  a  moment  with  melancholy  solicitude, 
laid  it  carefully  aside,  and  descended  to  the  place  where  Chingach- 
gook  had  just  disappeared.  For  an  instant  he  hung  suspended 
by  the  rock;  and  looking  about  him,  with  a  countenance  of  pecu 
liar  care,  he  added,  bitterly,  "Had  the  powder  held  out,  this  dis 
grace  could  never  have  befallen!"  then,  loosening  his  hold,  the 
water  closed  above  his  head,  and  he  also  became  lost  to  view. 

All  eyes  were  now  turned  on  Uncas,  who  stood  leaning  against 
the  ragged  rock,  in  immovable  composure.  After  waiting  a  short 
time,  Cora  pointed  down  the  river,  and  said:— 

"Your  friends  have  not  been  seen,  and  are  now,  most  prob 
ably,  in  safety;  is  it  not  time  for  you  to  follow?" 

"Uncas  will  stay,"  the  young  Mohican  calmly  answered  in 
English. 

"To  increase  the  horror  of  our  capture,  and  to  diminish  the 
chances  of  our  release!  Go,  generous  young  man,"  Cora  con 
tinued,  lowering  her  eyes  under  the  gaze  of  the  Mohican,  and, 
perhaps,  with  an  intuitive  consciousness  of  her  power;  "go  to  my 
father,  as  I  have  said,  and  be  the  most  confidential  of  my  messen 
gers.  Tell  him  to  trust  you  with  the  means  to  buy  the  freedom 
of -his  daughters.  Go!  'tis  my  wish,  'tis  my  prayer,  that  you 
will  go!" 

The  settled,  calm  look  of  the  young  chief  changed  to  an  ex 
pression  of  gloom,  but  he  no  longer  hesitated.  With  a  noiseless 
step  he  crossed  the  rock,  and  dropped  into  the  troubled  stream. 
Hardly  a  breath  was  drawn  by  those  he  left  behind,  until  they 
caught  a  glimpse  of  his  head  emerging  for  air,  far  down  the 
current,  when  he  again  sank,  and  was  seen  no  more. 

These  sudden  and  apparently  successful  experiments  had  all 
taken  place  in  a  few  minutes  of  that  time  which  had  now  become 
so  precious.  After  the  last  look  at  Uncas,  Cora  turned,  and,  with 
a  quivering  lip,  addressed  herself  to  Heyward  :— 

"I  have  heard  of  your  boasted  skill  in  the  water,  too,  Duncan," 
she  said;  "follow,  then,  the  wise  example  set  you  by  these  simple 
and  faithful  beings." 

"Is  such  the  faith  that  Cora  Munro  would  exact  from  her 
protector?"  said  the  young  man,  smiling  mournfully,  but  with 
bitterness. 

"This  is  not  a  time  for  idle  subtleties  and  false  opinions,"  she 
answered ;  "but  a  moment  when  every  duty  should  be  equally  con- 


78  THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS 

sidered.  To  us  you  can  be  of  no  further  service  here,  but  your 
precious  life  may  be  saved  for  other  and  nearer  friends." 

He  made  no  reply,  though  his  eyes  fell  wistfully  on  the  beauti 
ful  form  of  Alice,  who  was  clinging  to  his  arm  with  the  depen 
dency  of  an  infant. 

"Consider,"  continued  Cora,  after  a  pause,  during  which  she 
seemed  to  struggle  with  a  pang  even  more  acute  than  any  that 
her  fears  had  excited,  "that  the  worst  to  us  can  be  but  death;  a 
tribute  that  all  must  pay  at  the  good  time  of  God's  appointment." 

"There  are  evils  worse  than  death,"  said  Duncan,  speaking 
hoarsely,  and  as  if  fretful  at  her  importunity,  "but  which  the 
presence  of  one  who  would  die  in  your  behalf  may  avert." 

Cora  ceased  her  entreaties ;  and,  veiling  her  face  in  her  shawl, 
drew  the  nearly  insensible  Alice  after  her  into  the  deepest  recess 
of  the  inner  cavern. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

"Be  gay  securely; 

Dispel,  my  fair,  with  smiles,  the  tim'rous  clouds, 
That  hang  on  thy  clear  brow." 

Death  of  Agrippina. 

THE  sudden  and  almost  magical  change,  from  the  stirring  inci 
dents  of  the  combat  to  the  stillness  that  now  reigned  around  him, 
acted  on  the  heated  imagination  of  Heyward  like  some  exciting 
dream.  While  all  the  images  and  events  he  had  witnessed  re 
mained  deeply  impressed  on  his  memory,  he  felt  a  difficulty  in 
persuading  himself  of  their  truth.  Still  ignorant  of  the  fate  of 
those  who  had  trusted  to  the  aid  of  the  swift  current,  he  at  first 
listened  intently  to  any  signal,  or  sounds  of  alarm,  which  might 
announce  the  good  or  evil  fortune  of  their  hazardous  undertaking. 
His  attention  was,  however,  bestowed  in  vain;  for,  with  the  dis 
appearance  of  Uncas,  every  sign  of  the  adventurers  had  been  lost, 
leaving  him  in  total  uncertainty  of  their  fate. 

In  a  moment  of  such  painful  doubt,  Duncan  did  not  hesitate 
to  look  about  him,  without  consulting  that  protection  from  the 
rocks  which  just  before  had  been  so  necessary  to  his  safety.  Every 
effort,  however,  to  detect  the  least  evidence  of  the  approach  of 
their  hidden  enemies,  was  as  fruitless  as  the  inquiry  after  his  late 
companions.  The  wooded  banks  of  the  rivers  seemed  again  de 
serted  by  everything  possessing  animal  life.  The  uproar  which 
had  so  lately  echoed  through  the  vaults  of  the  forest  was  gone, 
leaving  the  rush  of  the  waters  to  swell  and  sink  on  the  currents  of 
the  air,  in  the  unmingled  sweetness  of  nature.  A  fish-hawk, 
which,  secure  on  the  topmost  branches  of  a  dead  pine,  had  been  a 
distant  spectator  of  the  fray,  now  stooped  from  his  high  and  rag 
ged  perch,  and  soared,  in  wide  sweeps,  above  his  prey;  while  a 
jay,  whose  noisy  voice  had  been  stilled  by  the  hoarser  cries  of 
the  savages,  ventured  again  to  open  his  discordant  throat,  as 
though  once  more  in  undisturbed  possession  of  his  wild  domains. 
Duncan  caught  from  these  natural  accompaniments  of  the 
solitary  scene  a  glimmering  of  hope;  and  he  began  to  rally  his 

79 


80  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

faculties  to  renewed  exertions,  with  something  like  a  reviving 
confidence  of  success. 

"The  Hurons  are  not  to  be  seen,"  he  said,  addressing  David, 
who  had  by  no  means  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the  stunning 
blow  he  had  received ;  "let  us  conceal  ourselves  in  the  cavern,  and 
trust  the  rest  to  Providence." 

"I  remember  to  have  united  with  two  comely  maidens,  in  lift 
ing  up  our  voices  in  praise  and  thanksgiving,"  returned  the 
bewildered  singing-master;  "since  which  time  I  have  been  visited 
by  a  heavy  judgment  for  my  sins.  I  have  been  mocked  with  the 
likeness  of  sleep,  while  sounds  of  discord  have  rent  my  ears,  such 
as  might  manifest  the  fulness  of  time,  and  that  nature  had  for 
gotten  her  harmony." 

"Poor  fellow!  thine  own  period  was,  in  truth,  near  its  accom 
plishment  !  But  arouse,  and  come  with  me ;  I  will  lead  you  where 
all  other  sounds  but  those  of  your  own  psalmody  shall  be 
excluded." 

"There  is  melody  in  the  fall  of  the  cataract,  and  the  rushing 
of  many  waters  is  sweet  to  the  senses!"  said  David,  pressing  his 
hand  confusedly  on  his  brow.  "Is  not  the  air  yet  filled  with 
shrieks  and  cries,  as  though  the  departed  spirits  of  the  damned— 

"Not  now,  not  now,"  interrupted  the  impatient  Heyward, 
"they  have  ceased,  and  they  who  raised  them,  I  trust  in  God,  they 
are  gone  too!  everything  but  the  water  is  still  and  at  peace;  in, 
then,  where  you  may  create  those  sounds  you  love  so  well  to  hear." 

David  smiled  sadly,  though  not  without  a  momentary  gleam 
of  pleasure,  at  this  allusion  to  his  beloved  vocation.  He  no  longer 
hesitated  to  be  led  to  a  spot  which  promised  such  unalloyed  grati 
fication  to  his  wearied  senses;  and,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  his  com 
panion,  he  entered  the  narrow  mouth  of  the  cave.  Duncan  seized 
a  pile  of  the  sassafras,  which  he  drew  before  the  passage,  studi 
ously  concealing  every  appearance  of  an  aperture.  Within  this 
fragile  barrier  he  arranged  the  blankets  abandoned  by  the  forest 
ers,  darkening  the  inner  extremity  of  the  cavern,  while  its  outer 
received  a  chastened  light  from  the  narrow  ravine,  through  which 
one  arm  of  the  river  rushed,  to  form  the  junction  with  its  sister 
branch,  a  few  rods  below. 

"I  like  not  that  principle  of  the  natives,  which  teaches  them 
to  submit  without  a  struggle,  in  emergencies  that  appear 
desperate,"  he  said,  while  busied  in  this  employment;  "our  own 
maxim,  which  says,  'while  life  remains  there  is  hope,'  is  more 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  81 

consoling,  and  better  suited  to  a  soldier's  temperament.  To  you, 
Cora,  I  will  urge  no  words  of  idle  encouragement;  your  own 
fortitude  and  undisturbed  reason  will  teach  you  all  that  may  be 
come  your  sex ;  but  cannot  we  dry  the  tears  of  that  trembling 
weeper  on  your  bosom?" 

"I  am  calmer,  Duncan,"  said  Alice,  raising  herself  from  the 
arms  of  her  sister,  and  forcing  an  appearance  of  composure 
through  her  tears;  "much  calmer,  now.  Surely,  in  this  hidden 
spot  we  are  safe,  we  are  secret,  free  from  injury;  we  will  hope 
everything  from  those  generous  men  who  have  risked  so  much 
already  in  our  behalf." 

"Now  does  our  gentle  Alice  speak  like  a  daughter  of  Munro!" 
said  Heyward,  pausing  to  press  her  hand  as  he  passed  towards, 
the  outer  entrance  of  the  cavern.  "With  two  such  examples  of 
courage  before  him,  a  man  would  be  ashamed  to  prove  other  than 
a  hero."  He  then  seated  himself  in  the  centre  of  the  cavern, 
grasping  his  remaining  pistol  with  a  hand  convulsively  clenched, 
while  his  contracted  and  frowning  eye  announced  the  sullen  des 
peration  of  his  purpose.  "The  Hurons,  if  they  come,  may  not 
gain  our  position  so  easily  as  they  think,"  he  lowly  muttered;  and 
dropping  his  head  back  against  the  rock,  he  seemed  to  await  the 
result  in  patience,  though  his  gaze  was  unceasingly  bent  on  the 
open  avenue  to  their  place  of  retreat. 

With  the  last  sound  of  his  voice,  a  deep,  a  long,  and  almost 
breathless  silence  succeeded.  The  fresh  air  of  the  morning  had 
penetrated  the  recess,  and  its  influence  was  gradually  felt  on  the 
spirits  of  its  inmates.  As  minute  after  minute  passed  by,  leaving 
them  in  undisturbed  security,  the  insinuating  feeling  of  hope  was 
gradually  gaining  possession  of  every  bosom,  though  each  one  felt 
reluctant  to  give  utterance  to  expectations  that  the  next  moment 
might  so  fearfully  destroy. 

David  alone  formed  an  exception  to  these  varying  emotions. 
A  gleam  of  light  from  the  opening  crossed  his  wan  countenance, 
and  fell  upon  the  pages  of  the  little  volume,  whose  leaves  he  was 
again  occupied  in  turning,  as  if  searching  for  some  song  more 
fitted  to  their  condition  than  any  that  had  yet  met  his  eye.  He 
was,  most  probably,  acting  all  this  time  under  a  confused  recollec 
tion  of  the  promised  consolation  of  Duncan.  At  length,  it  would 
seem,  his  patient  industry  found  its  reward;  for,  without  explana 
tion  or  apology,  he  pronounced  aloud  the  words  "Isle  of  Wight," 
drew  a  long,  sweet  sound  from  his  pitch-pipe,  and  then  ran 


82  THE   LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS 

through  the  preliminary  modulations  of  the  air,  whose  name  he 
had  just  mentioned  with  the  sweeter  tones  of  his  own  musical 
voice. 

May  not  this  prove  dangerous?"  asked  Cora,  glancing  her 
dark  eye  at  Major  Hey  ward. 

"Poor  fellow!  his  voice  is  too  feeble  to  be  heard  amid  the  din 
of  the  falls,"  was  the  answer;  "besides,  the  cavern  will  prove  his 
friend.  Let  him  indulge  his  passion,  since  it  may  be  done  with 
out  hazard." 

"Isle  of  Wight!"  repeated  David,  looking  about  him  with  that 
dignity  with  which  he  had  long  been  wont  to  silence  the  whisper 
ing  echoes  of  his  school;  "  'tis  a  brave  tune,  and  set  to  solemn 
words;  let  it  be  sung  with  meet  respect!" 

'  After  allowing  a  moment  of  stillness  to  enforce  his  discipline, 
the  voice  of  the  singer  was  heard,  in  low,  murmuring  syllables, 
gradually  stealing  on  the  ear,  until  it  filled  the  narrow  vault  with 
sounds  rendered  trebly  thrilling  by  the  feeble  and  tremulous 
utterance  produced  by  his  debility.  The  melody,  which  no  weak 
ness  could  destroy,  gradually  wrought  its  sweet  influence  on  the 
senses  of  those  who  heard  it.  It  even  prevailed  over  the  miser 
able  travesty  of  the  song  of  David  which  the  singer  had  selected 
from  a  volume  of  similar  effusions,  and  caused  the  sense  to  be  for 
gotten  in  the  insinuating  harmony  of  the  sounds.  Alice  uncon 
sciously  dried  her  tears,  and  bent  her  melting  eyes  on  the  pallid 
features  of  Gamut  with  an  expression  of  chastened  delight  that 
she  neither  affected  nor  wished  to  conceal.  Cora  bestowed  an 
approving  smile  on  the  pious  efforts  of  the  namesake  of  the  Jew 
ish  prince,  and  Heyward  soon  turned  his  steady,  stern  look  from 
the  outlet  of  the  cavern,  to  fasten  it,  with  a  milder  character,  on 
the  face  of  David,  or  to  meet  the  wandering  beams  which  at 
moments  strayed  from  the  humid  eyes  of  Alice.  The  open  sym 
pathy  of  the  listeners  stirred  the  spirit  of  the  votary  of  music, 
whose  voice  regained  its  richness  and  volume,  without  losing  that 
touching  softness  which  proved  its  secret  charm.  Exerting  his 
renovated  powers  to  their  utmost,  he  was  yet  filling  the  arches 
of  the  cave  with  long  and  full  tones,  when  a  yell  burst  into  the 
air  without,  that  instantly  stilled  his  pious  strains,  choking  his 
voice  suddenly,  as  though  his  heart  had  literally  bounded  into 
the  passage  of  his  throat. 

"We  are  lost!"  exclaimed  Alice,  throwing  herself  into  the 
arms  of  Cora. 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  83 

"Not  yet,  not  yet,"  returned  the  agitated  but  undaunted  Hey- 
ward;  "the  sound  came  from  the  centre  of  the  island,  and  it  has 
been  produced  by  the  sight  of  their  dead  companions.  We 
are  not  yet  discovered,  and  there  is  still  hope." 

Faint  and  almost  despairing  as  was  the  prospect  of  escape, 
the  words  of  Duncan  were  not  thrown  away,  for  it  awakened 
the  powers  of  the  sisters  in  such  a  manner  that  they  awaited  the 
result  in  silence.  A  second  yell  soon  followed  the  first,  when  a 
rush  of  voices  was  heard  pouring  down  the  island,  from  its  upper 
to  its  lower  extremity,  until  they  reached  the  naked  rock  above 
the  caverns,  where,  after  a  shout  of  savage  triumph,  the  air  con 
tinued  full  of  horrible  cries  and  screams,  such  as  man  alone  can 
utter,  and  he  only  when  in  a  state  of  the  fiercest  barbarity. 

The  sounds  quickly  spread  around  them  in  every  direction. 
Some  called  to  their  fellows  from  the  water's  edge,  and  were 
answered  from  the  heights  above.  Cries  were  heard  in  the  startling 
vicinity  of  the  chasm  between  the  two  caves,  which  mingled  with 
hoarser  yells  that  arose  out  of  the  abyss  of  the  deep  ravine.  In 
short,  so  rapidly  had  the  savage  sounds  diffused  themselves  over 
the  barren  rock,  that  it  was  not  difficult  for  the  anxious  listeners 
to  imagine  they  could  be  heard  beneath,  as  in  truth  they  were 
above  and  on  every  side  of  them. 

In  the  midst  of  this  tumult,  a  triumphant  yell  was  raised 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  hidden  entrance  to  the  cave.  Heyward 
abandoned  every  hope,  with  the  belief  it  was  the  signal  that  they 
were  discovered.  Again  the  impression  passed  away,  as  he  heard 
the  voices  collect  near  the  spot  where  the  white  man  had  so  reluct 
antly  abandoned  his  rifle.  Amid  the  j  argon  of  the  Indian  dialects 
that  he  now  plainly  heard,  it  was  easy  to  distinguish  not  only 
words,  but  sentences,  in  the  patois  of  the  Canadas.  A  burst  of 
voices  had  shouted  simultaneously,  "La  Longue  Carabine  I"  caus 
ing  the  opposite  woods  to  re-echo  with  a  name  which,  Heyward 
well  remembered,  had  been  given  by  his  enemies  to  a  celebrated 
hunter  and  scout  of  the  English  camp,  and  who,  he  now  learnt 
for  the  first  time,  had  been  his  late  companion.  ' 

"La  Longue  Carabine!  La  Longue  Carabine  I"  passed  from 
mouth  to  mouth,  until  the  whole  band  appeared  to  be  collected 
around  a  trophy  which  would  seem  to  announce  the  death  of  its 
formidable  owner.  After  a  vociferous  consultation,  which  was, 
at  times,  deafened  by  bursts  of  savage  joy,  they  again  separated, 
filling  the  air  with  the  name  of  a  foe,  whose  body,  Heyward  could 


84  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

collect  from  their  expressions,  they  hoped  to  find  concealed  in 
some  crevice  of  the  island. 

"Now,"  he  whispered  to  the  trembling  sisters,  "now  is  the 
moment  of  uncertainty!  if  our  place  of  retreat  escape  this 
scrutiny,  we  are  still  safe!  In  every  event,  we  are  assured,  by 
what  has  fallen  from  our  enemies,  that  our  friends  have  escaped, 
and  in  two  short  hours  we  may  look  for  succor  from  Webb." 

There  were  now  a  few  minutes  of  fearful  stillness,  during 
which  Heyward  well  knew  that  the  savages  conducted  their 
search  with  greater  vigilance  and  method.  More  than  once  he 
could,  distinguish  their  footsteps,  as  they  brushed  the  sassafras, 
causing  the  faded  leaves  to  rustle,  and  the  branches  to  snap.  At 
length,  the  pile  yielded  a  little,  a  corner  of  the  blanket  fell,  and  a 
faint  ray  of  light  gleamed  into  the  inner  part  of  the  cave.  Cora 
folded  Alice  to  her  bosom  in  agony,  and  Duncan  sprang  to  his 
feet.  A  shout  was  at  that  moment  heard,  as  if  issuing  from  the 
centre  of  the  rock,  announcing  that  the  neighboring  cavern  had 
at  length  been  entered.  In  a  minute,  the  number  and  loudness 
of  the  voices  indicated  that  the  whole  party  was  collected  in  and 
around  that  secret  place. 

As  the  inner  passages  to  the  two  caves  were  so  close  to  each 
other,  Duncan,  believing  that  escape  was  no  longer  possible, 
passed  David  and  the  sisters,  to  place  himself  between  the  latter 
and  the  first  onset  of  the  terrible  meeting.  Grown  desperate  by 
his  situation,  he  drew  nigh  the  slight  barrier  which  separated  him 
only  by  a  few  feet  from  his  relentless  pursuers,  .and  placing  his 
face  to  the  casual  opening,  he  even  looked  out,  with  a  sort  of  des 
perate  indifference,  on  their  movements. 

Within  reach  of  his  arm  was  the  brawny  shoulder  of  a  gigantic 
Indian,  whose  deep  and  authoritative  voice  appeared  to  give 
directions  to  the  proceedings  of  his  fellows.  Beyond  him  again, 
Duncan  could  look  into  the  vault  opposite,  which  was  filled  with 
savages,  upturning  and  rifling  the  humble  furniture  of  the  scout. 
The  wound  of  David  had  dyed  the  leaves  of  sassafras  with  a  color 
that  the  natives  well  knew  was  anticipating  the  season.  Over 
this  sign  of  their  success,  they  set  up  a  howl,  like  an  opening  from 
so  many  hounds  who  had  recovered  a  lost  trail.  After  this  yell  of 
victory,  they  tore  up  the  fragrant  bed  of  the  cavern,  and  bore  the 
branches  into  the  chasm,  scattering  the  boughs,  as  if  they  sus 
pected  them  of  concealing  the  person  of  the  man  they  had  so  long 
hated  and  feared.  One  fierce  and  wild-looking  warrior  ap- 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  85 

preached  the  chief  bearing  a  load  of  the  brush,  and  pointing, 
exultingly,  to  the  deep  red  stains  with  which  it  was  sprinkled, 
uttered  his  joy  in  Indian  yells,  whose  meaning  Hey  ward  was 
only  enabled  to  comprehend  by  the  frequent  repetition  of  the 
name  of  "La  Longue  Carabine!"  When  his  triumph  had  ceased, 
he  cast  the  brush  on  the  slight  heap  that  Duncan  had  made  before 
the  entrance  of  the  second  cavern,  and  closed  the  view.  His 
example  was  followed  by  others,  who,  as  they  .drew  the  branches 
from  the  cave  of  the  scout,  threw  them  into  one  pile,  adding, 
unconsciously,  to  the  security  of  those  they  sought.  The  very 
slightness  of  the  defence  was  its  chief  merit,  for  no  one  thought 
of  disturbing  a  mass  of  brush,  which  all  of  them  believed,  in  that 
moment  of  hurry  and  confusion,  had  been  accidentally  raised  by 
the  hands  of  their  own  party. 

As  the  blankets  yielded  before  the  outward  pressure,  and  the 
branches  settled  in  the  fissure  of  the  rock  by  their  own  weight, 
forming  a  compact  body,  Duncan  once  more  breathed  freely. 
With  a  light  step,  and  lighter  heart,  he  returned  to  the  centre  of 
the  cave,  and  took  the  place  he  had  left,  where  he  could  command 
a  view  of  the  opening  next  the  river.  While  he  was  in  the  act  of 
making  this  movement,  the  Indians,  as  if  changing  their  purpose 
by  a  common  impulse,  broke  away  from  the  cavern  in  a  body,  and 
were  heard  rushing  up  the  island  again,  towards  the  point  whence 
they  had  originally  descended.  Here  another  wailing  cry  be 
trayed  that  they  were  again  collected  around  the  bodies  of  their 
dead  comrades. 

Duncan  now  ventured  to  look  at  his  companions;  for,  during 
the  most  critical  moments  of  their  danger,  he  had  been  appre 
hensive  that  the  anxiety  of  his  countenance  might  communicate 
some  additional  alarm  to  those  who  were  so  little  able  to  sus 
tain  it. 

"They  are  gone,  Coral"  he  whispered;  "Alice,  they  are  re 
turned  whence  they  came,  and  we  are  saved!  To  Heaven,  that 
has  alone  delivered  us  from  the  grasp  of  so  merciless  an  enemy, 
be  all  the  praise!" 

"Then  to  Heaven  will  I  return  my  thanks!"  exclaimed  the 
younger  sister,  rising  from  the  encircling  arms  of  Cora,  and  cast 
ing  herself  with  enthusiastic  gratitude  on  the  naked  rock;  "to  that 
Heaven  who  has  spared  the  tears  of  a  gray-headed  father;  has 
saved  the  lives  of  those  I  so  much  love- 
Both  Heyward,  and  the  more  tempered  Cora,  witnessed  the 


86  THE   LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS 

act  of  involuntary  emotion  with  powerful  sympathy,  the  former 
secretly  believing  that  piety  had  never  worn  a  form  so  lovely  as 
it  had  now  assumed  in  the  youthful  person  of  Alice.  Her  eyes 
radiant  with  the  glow  of  grateful  f eelings ;  the  flush  of  her  beauty 
was  again  seated  on  her  cheeks,  and  her  whole  soul  seemed  ready 
and  anxious  to  pour  out  its  thanksgivings,  through  the  medium 
of  her  eloquent  features. ,  But  when  her  lips  moved,  the  words 
they  should  have  uttered  appeared  frozen  by  some  new  and  sud 
den  chill.  Her  bloom  gave  place  to  the  paleness  of  death;  her 
soft  and  melting  eyes  grew  hard,  and  seemed  contracting  with 
horror;  while  those  hands  which  she  had  raised,  clasped  in  each 
other,  towards  heaven,  dropped  in  horizontal  lines  before  her,  the 
fingers  pointed  forward  in  convulsed  motion.  Heyward  turned, 
the  instant  she  gave  a  direction  to  his  suspicions,  and,  peering  just 
above  the  ledge  which  formed  the  threshold  of  the  open  outlet  of 
the  cavern,  he  beheld  the  malignant,  fierce,  and  savage  features 
of  Le  Renard  Subtil. 

In  that  moment  of  surprise,  the  sell -possession  of  Heyward 
did  not  desert  him.  He  observed  by  the  vacant  expression  of  the 
Indian's  countenance,  that  his  eye,  accustomed  to  the  open  air, 
had  not  yet  been  able  to  penetrate  the  dusky  light  which  pervaded 
the  depth  of  the  cavern.  He  had  even  thought  of  retreating 
beyond  a  curvature  in  the  natural  wall,  which  might  still  conceal 
him  and  his  companions,  when,  by  the  sudden  gleam  of  intelli 
gence  that  shot  across  the  features  of  the  savage,  he  saw  it  was 
too  late,  and  that  they  were  betrayed. 

The  look  of  exultation  and  brutal  triumph  which  announced 
this  terrible  truth  was  irresistibly  irritating.  Forgetful  of  every 
thing  but  the  impulses  of  his  hot  blood,  Duncan  levelled  his  pistol 
and  fired.  The  report  of  the  weapon  made  the  cavern  bellow  like 
an  eruption  from  a  volcano ;  and  when  the  smoke  it  vomited  had 
been  driven  away  before  the  current  of  air  which  issued  from  the 
ravine,  the  place  so  lately  occupied  by  the  features  of  his  treacher 
ous  guide  was  vacant.  Rushing  to  the  outlet,  Heyward  caught  a 
glimpse  of  his  dark  figure,  stealing  around  a  low  and  narrow 
ledge,  which  soon  hid  him  entirely  from  sight. 

Among  the  savages,  a  frightful  stillness  succeeded  the  ex 
plosion,  which  had  just  been  heard  bursting  from  the  bowels  of 
the  rock.  But  when  Le  Renard  raised  his  voice  in  a  long  and 
intelligible  whoop,  it  was  answered  by  a  spontaneous  yell  from 
the  mouth  of  every  Indian  within  hearing  of  the  sound.  The 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  87 

clamorous  noises  again  rushed  down  the  island ;  and  before  Dun 
can  had  time  to  recover  from  the  shock,  his  feeble  barrier  of  brush 
was  scattered  to  the  winds,  the  cavern  was  entered  at  both  its 
extremities,  and  he  and  his  companions  were  dragged  from  their 
shelter  and  borne  into  the  day,  where  they  stood  surrounded  by 
the  whole  band  of  the  triumphant  Hurons. 


CHAPTER   X. 

"I  fear  we  shall  outsleep  the  coming  morn 
As  much  as  we  this  night  have  overwatched !" 

Midsummer  Night't  Dream. 

THE  instant  the  shock  of  this  sudden  misfortune  had  abated, 
Duncan  began  to  make  his  observations  on  the  appearance  and 
proceedings  of  their  captors.  Contrary  to  the  usages  of  the 
natives  in  the  wantonness  of  their  success,  they  had  respected, 
not  only  the  persons  of  the  trembling  sisters,  but  his  own.  The 
rich  ornaments  of  his  military  attire  had  indeed  been  repeatedly 
handled  by  different  individuals  of  the  tribe  with  eyes  express 
ing  a  savage  longing  to  possess  the  baubles;  but  before  the  cus 
tomary  violence  could  be  resorted  to,  a  mandate  in  the  authori 
tative  voice  of  the  large  warrior  already  mentioned,  stayed  the 
uplifted  hand,  and  convinced  Heyward  that  they  were  to  be 
reserved  for  some  object  of  particular  moment. 

While,  however,  these  manifestations  of  weakness  were  ex 
hibited  by  the  young  and  vain  of  the  party,  the  more  experienced 
warriors  continued  their  search  throughout  both  caverns,  with  an 
activity  that  denoted  they  were  far  from  being  satisfied  with 
those  fruits  of  their  conquest  which  had  already  been  brought  to 
light.  Unable  to  discover  any  new  victim,  these  diligent  workers 
of  vengeance  soon  approached  their  male  prisoners,  pronouncing 
the  name  of  "La  Longue  Carabine,"  with  a  fierceness  that  could 
not  easily  be  mistaken.  Duncan  affected  not  to  comprehend  the 
meaning  of  their  repeated  and  violent  interrogatories,  while  his 
companion  was  spared  the  effort  of  a  similar  deception  by  his 
ignorance  of  French.  Wearied,  at  length,  by  their  importuni 
ties,  and  apprehensive  of  irritating  his  captors  by  too  stubborn 
a  silence,  the  former  looked  about  him  in  quest  of  Magua;  who 
might  interpret  his  answers  to  questions  which  were  at  each 
moment  becoming  more  earnest  and  threatening. 

The  conduct  of  this  savage  had  formed  a  solitary  exception 
to  that  of  all  his  fellows.  While  the  others  were  busily  occupied 
in  seeking  to  gratify  their  childish  passion  for  finery,  by  plunder- 

88 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  89 

ing  even  the  miserable  effects  of  the  scout,  or  had  been  searching, 
with  sucu  bloodthirsty  vengeance  in  their  looks,  for  their  absent 
owner,  Le  Renard  had  stood  at  a  little  distance  from  the  prison 
ers,  with  a  demeanor  so  quiet  and  satisfied,  as  to  betray  that  he 
had  already  effected  the  grand  purpose  of  this  treachery.  When 
the  eyes  of  Heyward  first  met  those  of  his  recent  guide,  he  turned 
them  away  in  horror  at  the  sinister  though  calm  look  he  encoun 
tered.  Conquering  his  disgust,  however,  he  was  able,  with  an 
averted  face,  to  address  his  successful  enemy. 

"Le  Renard  Subtil  is  too  much  of  a  warrior,"  said  the  re 
luctant  Heyward,  "to  refuse  telling  an  unarmed  man  what  his 
conquerors  say." 

"They  ask  for  the  hunter  who  knows  the  paths  through  the 
woods,"  returned  Magua,  in  his  broken  English,  laying  his  hand, 
at  the  same  time,  with  a  ferocious  smile,  on  the  bundle  of  leaves 
with  which  a  wound  on  his  own  shoulder  was  bandaged.  "La 
Longue  Carabine!  his  rifle  is  good,  and  his  eye  never  shut;  but, 
like  the  short  gun  of  the  white  chief,  it  is  nothing  against  the  life 
of  Le  Subtil!" 

"Le  Renard  is  too  brave  to  remember  the  hurts  received  in 
war,  or  the  hands  that  gave  them!" 

"Was  it  war,  when  the  tired  Indian  rested  at  the  sugar-tree 
to  taste  his  corn!  who  filled  the  bushes  with  creeping  enemies! 
who  drew  the  knife!  whose  tongue  was  peace,  while  his  heart  was 
colored  with  blood!  Did  Magua  say  that  the  hatchet  was  out  of 
the  ground,  and  that  his  hand  had  dug  it  up?" 

As  Duncan  dared  not  retort  upon  his  accuser  by  reminding 
him  of  his  own  premeditated  treachery,  and  disdained  to  depre 
cate  his  resentment  by  any  words  of  apology,  he  remained  silent. 
Magua  seemed  also  content  to  rest  the  controversy  as  well  as  all 
further  communication  there,  for  he  resumed  the  leaning  attitude 
against  the  rock,  from  which,  in  momentary  energy,  he  had  arisen. 
Eut  the  cry  of  "La  Longue  Carabine"  was  renewed  the  instant 
the  impatient  savages  perceived  that  the  short  dialogue  was 
ended. 

"You  hear,"  said  Magua,  with  stubborn  indifference;  "the  red 
Hurons  call  for  the  life  of  'The  Long  Rifle,"  or  they  will  have  the 
blood  of  them  that  keep  him  hid!" 

"He  is  gone — escaped;  he  is  far  beyond  their  reach." 

Renard  smiled  with  cold  contempt,  as  he  answered,— 

"When  the  white  man  dies,  he  thinks  he  is  at  peace;  but  the 


90  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

redmen  know  how  to  torture  even  the  ghosts  of  their  enemies. 
Where  is  his  body?  Let  the  Hurons  see  his  scalp  1" 

"He  is  not  dead,  but  escaped." 

Magua  shook  his  head  incredulously. 

"Is  he  a  bird,  to  spread  his  wings ;  or  is  he  a  fish,  to  swim  with 
out  airl  The  white  chief  reads  in  his  books,  and  he  believes  the 
Hurons  are  fools!" 

"Though  no  fish,  The  Long  Rifle  can  swim.  He  floated  down 
the  stream  when  the  powder  was  all  burnt,  and  when  the  eyes  of 
the  Hurons  were  behind  a  cloud." 

"And  why  did  the  white  chief  stay?"  demanded  the  still  in 
credulous  Indian.  "Is  he  a  stone  that  goes  to  the  bottom,  or  does 
the  scalp  burn  his  head?" 

"That  I  am  not  a  stone,  your  dead  comrade,  who  fell  into  the 
falls,  might  answer,  were  the  life  still  in  him,"  said  the  provoked 
young  man,  using,  in  his  anger,  that  boastful  language  which 
was  most  likely  to  excite  the  admiration  of  an  Indian.  "The 
white  man  thinks  none  but  cowards  desert  their  women." 

Magua  muttered  a  few  words,  inaudibly,  between  his  teeth, 
before  he  continued,  aloud, — 

"Can  the  Delawares  swim,  too,  as  well  as  crawl  in  the  bushes? 
Where  is  Le  Gros  Serpent?" 

Duncan,  who  perceived  by  the  use  of  these  Canadian  appella 
tions,  that  his  late  companions  were  much  better  known  to  his 
enemies  than  to  himself,  answered,  reluctantly,  "He  also  is  gone 
down  with  the  water." 

"Le  Cerf  Agile  is  not  here?" 

"I  know  not  whom  you  call  'The  Nimble  Deer,'  "  said  Dun 
can,  gladly  profiting  by  any  excuse  to  create  delay. 

"Uncas,"  returned  Magua,  pronouncing  the  Delaware  name 
with  even  greater  difficulty  than  he  spoke  his  English  words. 
"  'Bounding  Elk'  is  what  the  white  man  says,  when  he  calls  to 
the  young  Mohican." 

"Here  is  some  confusion  in  names  between  us,  Le  Renard," 
said  L)uncan,  hoping  to  provoke  a  discussion.  "Daim  is  the 
French  for  deer,  and  cerf  for  stag;  elan  is  the  true  term,  when 
one  would  speak  of  an  elk." 

"Yes,"  muttered  the  Indian,  in  his  native  tongue;  "the  pale 
faces  are  prattling  women!  they  have  two  words  for  each  thing, 
while  a  redskin  will  make  the  sound  of  his  voice  speak  for  him." 
Then  changing  his  language,  he  continued,  adhering  to  the  im- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  91 

perfect  nomenclature  of  his  provincial  instructors,  "The  deer  is 
swift,  but  weak;  the  elk  is  swift,  but  strong;  and  the  son  of  Le 
Serpent  is  Le  Cerf  Agile.  Has  he  leaped  the  river  to  the  woods?" 

"If  you  mean  the  younger  Delaware,  he  too  is  gone  down  with 
the  water." 

As  there  was  nothing  improbable  to  an  Indian  in  the  manner 
of  the  escape,  Magua  admitted  the  truth  of  what  he  had  heard, 
with  a  readiness  that  afforded  additional  evidence  how  little  he 
would  prize  such  worthless  captives.  With  his  companions,  how 
ever,  the  feeling  was  manifestly  different. 

The  Hurons  had  awaited  the  result  of  this  short  dialogue  with 
characteristic  patience,  and  with  a  silence  that  increased  until 
there  was  a  general  stillness  in  the  band.  When  Heyward  ceased 
to  speak,  they  turned  their  eyes,  as  one  man,  on  Magua,  demand 
ing,  in  this  expressive  manner,  an  explanation  of  what  had  been 
said.  Their  interpreter  pointed  to  the  river,  and  made  them 
acquainted  with  the  result,  as  much  by  the  action  as  by  the  few 
words  he  uttered.  When  the  fact  was  generally  understood,  the 
savages  raised  a  frightful  yell,  which  declared  the  extent  of  their 
disappointment.  Some  ran  furiously  to  the  water's  edge,  beating 
the  air  with  frantic  gestures,  while  others  spat  upon  the  element, 
to  resent  the  supposed  treason  it  had  committed  against  their 
acknowledged  rights  as  conquerors.  A  few,  and  they  not  the 
least  powerful  and  terrific  of  the  band,  threw  lowering  looks,  in 
which  the  fiercest  passion  was  only  tempered  by  habitual  self- 
command,  at  those  captives  who  still  remained  in  their  power; 
while  one  or  two  even  gave  vent  to  their  malignant  feelings  by  the 
most  menacing  gestures,  against  which  neither  the  sex  nor  the 
beauty  of  the  sisters  was  any  protection.  The  young  soldier  made 
a  desperate,  but  fruitless  effort,  to  spring  to  the  side  of  Alice, 
when  he  saw  the  dark  hand  of  a  savage  twisted  in  the  rich  tresses 
which  were  flowing  in  volumes  over  her  shoulders,  while  a  knife 
was  passed  around  the  head  from  which  they  fell,  as  if  to  denote 
the  horrid  manner  in  which  it  was  about  to  be  robbed  of  its  beau 
tiful  ornament.  But  his  hands  were  bound ;  and  at  the  first  move 
ment  he  made,  he  felt  the  grasp  of  the  powerful  Indian  who 
directed  the  band,  pressing  his  shoulder  like  a  vise.  Immediately 
conscious  how  unavailing  any  struggle  against  such  an  over 
whelming  force  must  prove,  he  submitted  to  his  fate,  encouraging 
his  gentle  companions  by  a  few  low  and  tender  assurances  that 
the  natives  seldom  failed  to  threaten  more  than  they  performed. 


92  THE    LAST    OF,    THE    MOHICANS 

But,  while  Duncan  resorted  to  these  words  of  consolation  to 
quiet  the  apprehensions  of  the  sisters,  he  was  not  so  weak  as  to 
deceive  himself.  He  well  knew  that  the  authority  of  an  Indian 
chief  was  so  little  conventional,  that  it  was  oftener  maintained 
by  physical  superiority  than  by  any  moral  supremacy  he  might 
possess.  The  danger  was,  therefore,  magnified  exactly  in  propor 
tion  to  the  number  of  the  savage  spirits  by  which  they  were  sur 
rounded.  The  most  positive  mandate  from  him  who  seemed  the 
acknowledged  leader,  was  liable  to  be  violated  at  each  moment, 
by  any  rash  hand  that  might  choose  to  sacrifice  a  victim  to  the 
manes  of  some  dead  friend  or  relative.  While,  therefore,  he  sus 
tained  an  outward  appearance  of  calmness  and  fortitude,  his  heart 
leaped  into  his  throat,  whenever  any  of  their  fierce  captors  drew 
nearer  than  common  to  the  helpless  sisters,  or  fastened  one  of 
their  sullen  wandering  looks  on  those  fragile  forms  which  were  so 
little  able  to  resist  the  slightest  assault. 

His  apprehensions  were,  however,  greatly  relieved,  when  he 
saw  that  the  leader  had  summoned  his  warriors  to  himself  in  coun 
cil.  Their  deliberations  were  short,  and  it  would  seem,  by  the 
silence  of  most  of  the  party,  the  decision  unanimous.  By  the 
frequency  with  which  the  few  speakers  pointed  in  the  direction  of 
the  encampment  of  Webb,  it  was  apparent  they  dreaded  the 
approach  of  danger  from  that  quarter.  This  consideration  prob 
ably  hastened  their  determination,  and  quickened  the  subsequent 
movements. 

During  this  short  conference,  Heyward,  finding  a  respite 
from  his  greatest  fears,  had  leisure  to  admire  the  cautious  manner 
in  which  the  Hurons  had  made  their  approaches,  even  after  hos 
tilities  had  ceased. 

It  has  already  been  stated,  that  the  upper  half  of  the  island 
was  a  naked  rock,  and  destitute  of  any  other  defences  than  a  few 
scattered  logs  of  drift-wood.  They  had  selected  this  point  to 
make  their  descent,  having  borne  the  canoe  through  the  wood 
around  the  cataract  for  that  purpose.  Placing  their  arms  in  the 
little  vessel,  a  dozen  men  clinging  to  its  sides  had  trusted  them 
selves  to  the  direction  of  the  canoe,  which  was  controlled  by  two 
of  the  most  skilful  warriors,  in  attitudes  that  enabled  them  to  com 
mand  a  view  of  the  dangerous  passage.  Favored  by  this  arrange 
ment,  they  touched  the  head  of  the  island  at  that  point  which  had 
proved  so  fatal  to  their  first  adventures,  but  with  the  advantages 
of  superior  numbers,  and  the  possession  of  fire-arms.  That  such 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  93 

had  been  the  manner  of  their  descent  was  rendered  quite  apparent 
to  Duncan;  for  they  now  bore  the  light  bark  from  the  upper  end 
of  the  rock,  and  placed  it  in  the  water,  near  the  mouth  of  the  outer 
cavern.  As  soon  as  this  change  was  made,  the  leader  made  signs 
to  the  prisoners  to  descend  and  enter. 

As  resistance  was  impossible,  and  remonstrance  useless,  Hey- 
ward  set  the  example  of  submission,  by  leading  the  way  into  the 
canoe,  where  he  was  soon  seated  with  the  sisters,  and  the  still 
wondering  David.  Notwithstanding  the  Hurons  were  neces 
sarily  ignorant  of  the  little  channels  among  the  eddies  and  rapids 
of  the  stream,  they  knew  the  common  signs  of  such  a  navigation 
too  well  to  commit  any  material  blunder.  When  the  pilot  chosen 
for  the  task  of  guiding  the  canoe  had  taken  his  station,  the  whole 
band  plunged  again  into  the  river,  the  vessel  glided  down  the  cur 
rent,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  captives  found  themselves  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  stream,  nearly  opposite  to  the  point  where  they 
had  struck  it  the  preceding  evening. 

Here  was  held  another  short  but  earnest  consultation,  during 
which  the  horses,  to  whose  panic  their  owners  ascribed  their  heav 
iest  misfortune,  were  led  from  the  cover  of  the  woods,  and  brought 
to  the  sheltered  spot.  The  band  now  divided.  The  great  chief 
so  often  mentioned,  mounting  the  charger  of  Heyward,  led  the 
way  directly  across  the  river,  followed  by  most  of  his  people,  and 
disappeared  in  the  woods,  leaving  the  prisoners  in  charge  of  six 
savages,  at  whose  head  was  Le  Renard  Subtil.  Duncan  witnessed 
all  their  movements  with  renewed  uneasiness. 

He  had  been  fond  of  believing,  from  the  uncommon  forbear 
ance  of  the  savages,  that  he  was  reserved  as  a  prisoner"  to  be  de 
livered  to  Montcalm.  As  the  thoughts  of  those  who  are  in  misery 
seldom  slumber,  and  the  invention  is  never  more  lively  than  when 
it  is  stimulated  by  hope,  however  feeble  and  remote,  he  had  even 
imagined  that  the  parental  feelings  of  Munro  were  to  be  made 
instrumental  in  seducing  him  from  his  duty  to  the  king.  For 
though  the  French  commander  bore  a  high  character  for  courage 
and  enterprise,  he  was  also  thought  to  be  expert  in  those  political 
practices,  which  do  not  always  respect  the  nicer  obligations  of 
morality,  and  which  so  generally  disgraced  the  European  diplo 
macy  of  that  period. 

All  those  busy  and  ingenious  speculations  were  now  anni 
hilated  by  the  conduct  of  his  captors.  That  portion  of  the  band 
who  had  followed  the  huge  warrior  took  the  route  towards  the 


94  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

foot  of  the  Horican,  and  no  other  expectation  was  left  for  himself 
and  companions,  than  that  they  were  to  be  retained  as  hopeless 
captives  by  their  savage  conquerors.  Anxious  to  know  the  worst, 
and  willing,  in  such  an  emergency,  to  try  the  potency  of  gold,  he 
overcame  his  reluctance  to  speak  to  Magua.  Addressing  himself 
to  his  former  guide,  who  had  now  assumed  the  authority  and 
manner  of  one  who  was  to  direct  the  future  movements  of  the 
party,  he  said,  in  tones  as  friendly  and  confiding  as  he  could 
assume, — 

"I  would  speak  to  Magua,  what  is  fit  only  for  so  great  a  chief 
to  hear." 

The  Indian  turned  his  eyes  on  the  young  soldier  scornfully, 
as  he  answered,— 

"Speak;  trees  have  no  ears!" 

"But  the  red  Hurons  are  not  deaf;  and  counsel  that  is  fit  for 
the  great  men  of  a  nation  would  make  the  young  warriors  drunk. 
If  Magua  will  not.  listen,  the  officer  of  the  king  knows  how  to 
be  silent." 

The  savage  spoke  carelessly  to  his  comrades,  who  were  busied, 
after  their  awkward  manner,  in  preparing  the  horses  for  the  re 
ception  of  the  sisters,  and  moved  a  little  to  one  side,  whither,  by 
a  cautious  gesture,  he  induced  Heyward  to  follow. 

"Now  speak,"  he  said;  "if  the  words  are  such  as  Magua  should 
hear." 

"Le  Renard  Subtil  has  proved  himself  worthy  of  the  honor 
able  name  given  to  him  by  his  Canada  fathers,"  commenced  Hey 
ward;  "I  see  his  wisdom,  and  all  that  he  has  done  for  us,  and  shall 
remember  it,  when  the  hour  to  reward  him  arrives.  Yes !  Renard 
has  proved  that  he  is  not  only  a  great  chief  in  council,  but  one  who 
knows  how  to  deceive  his  enemies!" 

"What  has  Renard  done?"  coldly  demanded  the  Indian. 

"What!  has  he  not  seen  that  the  woods  were  filled  with  out 
lying  parties  of  the  enemies,  and  that  the  Serpent  could  not  steal 
through  them  without  being  seen?  Then,  did  he  not  lose  his  path 
to  blind  the  eyes  of  the  Hurons?  Did  he  not  pretend  to  go  back 
to  his  tribe,  who  had  treated  him  ill,  and  driven  him  from  their 
wigwams  like  a  dog?  And,  when  we  saw  what  he  wished  to  do, 
did  we  not  aid  him,  by  making  a  false  face,  that  the  Hurons  might 
think  the  white  man  believed  that  his  friend  was  his  enemy?  Is 
not  all  this  true?  And  when  Le  Subtil  had  shut  the  eyes  and 
stopped  the  ears  of  his  nation  by  his  wisdom,  did  they  not  forget 


Copyright  hy  Charles  Scribner's  Son, 


When  the  pilot  chosen  for  the  task  of  guiding  the  canoe 
had  taken  his  station,  the  whole  hand  plunged  again  info 
the  river,  the  vessel  glided  t/oo»n  the  current  and  in  a  /en> 
moments  the  captives  found  themselves  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  stream 


If  hen  the  pilot  chosen  for  the  tusk  of  fuidine  tht  canoe 
had  taken  h,s  station,  the  whole  band  dunned  again  into 
the  ricer,  the  ivssel  glided  doLtn  the  current  and  in  a  fen, 
moments  ths  cactn'es  found  themselves  on  the  south 
bank  oj  the  stream 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  95 

that  they  had  once  done  him  wrong,  and  forced  him  to  flee  to  the 
Mohawks?  And  did  they  not  leave  him  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river,  with  their  prisoners,  while  they  have  gone  foolishly  on  the 
north?  Does  not  Renard  mean  to  turn  like  a  fox  on  his  footsteps, 
and  to  carry  to  the  rich  and  gray-headed  Scotchman  his  daugh; 
ters?  Yes,  Magua,  I  see  it  all,  and  I  have  already  been  thinking 
how  so  much  wisdom  and  honesty  should  be  repaid.  First,  the 
chief  of  William  Henry  will  give  as  a  great  chief  should  for  such 
a  service.  The  medal x  of  Magua  will  no  longer  be  of  tin,  but  of 
beaten  gold;  his  horn  will  run  over  with  powder;  dollars  will  be 
as  plenty  in  his  pouch  as  pebbles  on  the  shore  of  Horican;  and 
the  deer  will  lick  his  hand,  for  they  will  know  it  to  be  vain  to  fly 
from  the  rifle  he  will  carry!  As  for  myself,  I  know  not  how  to 
exceed  the  gratitude  of  the  Scotchman,  but  I — yes,  I  will— 

"What  will  the  young  chief  who  comes  from  towards  the  sun, 
give?"  demanded  the  Huron,  observing  that  Heyward  hesitated 
in  his  desire  to  end  the  enumeration  of  benefits  with  that  which 
might  form  the  climax  of  an  Indian's  wishes. 

"He  will  make  the  fire-water  from  the  Islands  in  the  salt  lake 
flow  before  the  wigwam  of  Magua,  until  the  heart  of  the  Indian 
shall  be  lighter  than  the  feathers  of  the  humming-bird,  and  his 
breath  sweeter  than  the  wild  honeysuckle." 

Le  Renard  had  listened  gravely  as  Heyward  slowly  proceeded 
in  his  subtle  speech.  When  the  young  man  mentioned  the  artifice 
he  supposed  the  Indian  to  have  practised  on  his  own  nation,  the 
countenance  of  the  listener  was  veiled  in  an  expression  of  cautious 
gravity.  At  the  allusion  to  the  injury  which  Duncan  affected  to 
believe  had  driven  the  Huron  from  his  native  tribe,  a  gleam  of 
such  ungovernable  ferocity  flashed  from  the  other's  eyes,  as  in 
duced  the  adventurous  speaker  to  believe  he  had  struck  the  proper 
chord.  And  by  the  time  he  reached  the  part  where  he  so  artfully 
blended  the  thirst  of  vengeance  with  the  desire  of  gain,  he  had, 
at  least,  obtained  a  command  of  the  deepest  attention  of  the  sav 
age.  The  question  put  by  Le  Renard  had  been  calm,  and  with 
all  the  dignity  of  an  Indian;  but  it  was  quite  apparent,  by  the 
thoughtful  expression  of  the  listener's  countenance,  that  the 
answer  was  most  cunningly  devised.  The  Huron  mused  a  few 

*  It  has  long  been  a  practice  with  the  whites  to  conciliate  the  important  men  of  the 
Indians,  by  presenting  medals,  which  are  worn  in  the  place  of  their  own  rude  ornaments. 
Those  given  by  the  English  generally  bear  the  impression  of  the  reigning  king,  and  those 
given  by  the  Americans  that  of  the  president. 


96  THE   LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS 

moments,  and  then  laying  his  hand  on  the  rude  bandages  of  his 
wounded  shoulder,  he  said,  with  some  energy, — - 

"Do  friends  make  such  remarks?" 

"Would  La  Longue  Carabine  cut  one  so  light  on  an  enemy?" 

"Do  the  Delawares  crawl  upon  those  they  love,  like  snakes, 
twisting  themselves  to  strike?" 

"Would  Le  Gros  Serpent  have  been  heard  by  the  ears  of  one 
he  wished  to  be  deaf?" 

"Does  the  white  chief  burn  his  powder  in  the  faces  of  his 
brothers?" 

"Does  he  ever  miss  his  aim,  when  seriously  bent  to  kill?"  re 
turned  Duncan,  smiling  with  well  acted  sincerity. 

Another  long  and  deliberate  pause  succeeded  these  senten 
tious  questions  and  ready  replies.  Duncan  saw  that  the  Indian 
hesitated.  In  order  to  complete  his  victory,  he  was  in  the  act  of 
recommencing  the  enumeration  of  the  rewards,  when  Magua 
made  an  expressive  gesture  and  said — 

"Enough;  Le  Renard  is  a  wise  chief,  and  what  he  does  will 
be  seen.  Go,  and  keep  the  mouth  shut.  When  Magua  speaks, 
it  will  be  the  time  to  answer." 

Heyward,  perceiving  that  the  eyes  of  his  companion  were 
warily  fastened  on  the  rest  of  the  band,  fell  back  immediately,  in 
order  to  avoid  the  appearance  of  any  suspicious  confederacy  with 
their  leader.  Magua  approached  the  horses,  and  affected  to  be 
well  pleased  with  the  diligence  and  ingenuity  of  his  comrades. 
He  then  signed  to  Heyward  to  assist  the  sisters  into  the  saddles, 
for  he  seldom  deigned  to  use  the  English  tongue,  unless  urged  by 
some  motive  of  more  than  usual  moment. 

There  was  no  longer  any  plausible  pretext  for  delay;  and 
Duncan  was  obliged,  however  reluctantly,  to  comply.  As  he 
performed  this  office,  he  whispered  his  reviving  hopes  in  the  ears 
of  the  trembling  females,  who,  through  dread  of  encountering 
the  savage  countenances  of  their  captors,  seldom  raised  their  eyes 
from  the  ground.  The  mare  of  David  had  been  taken  with  the 
followers  of  the  large  chief;  in  consequence,  its  owner,  as  well  as 
Duncan,  was  compelled  to  journey  on  foot.  The  latter  did  not, 
however,  so  much  regret  this  circumstance,  as  it  might  enable 
him  to  retard  the  speed  of  the  party;  for  he  still  turned  his  long 
ing  looks  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Edward,  in  the  vain  expectation 
of  catching  some  sound  from  that  quarter  of  the  forest,  which 
might  denote  the  approach  of  succor. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  97 

When  all  were  prepared,  Magua  made  the  signal  to  proceed, 
advancing  in  front  to  lead  the  party  in  person.  Next  followed 
David,  who  was  gradually  coining  to  a  true  sense  of  his  condition, 
as  the  effects  of  the  wound  became  less  and  less  apparent.  The 
sisters  rode  in  his  rear,  with  Heyward  at  their  side,  while  the 
Indians  flanked  the  party,  and  brought  up  the  close  of  the  inarch, 
witli  a  caution  that  seemed  never  to  tire. 

*  In  this  manner  they  proceeded  in  uninterrupted  silence,  ex 
cept  when  Heyward  addressed  some  solitary  word  of  comfort  to 
the  females,  or  David  gave  vent  to  the  meanings  of  his  spirit  in 
piteous  exclamations,  which  he  intended  should  express  the  humil 
ity  of  resignation.  Their  direction  lay  towards  the  south,  and  in 
a  course  nearly  opposite  to  the  road  to  William  Henry.  Notwith 
standing  this  apparent  adherence  in  Magua  to  the  original  de 
termination  of  his  conquerors,  Heyward  could  not  believe  his 
tempting  bait  was  so  soon  forgotten;  and  he  knew  the  windings 
of  an  Indian  path  too  well,  to  suppose  that  its  apparent  course 
led  directly  to  its  object,  when  artifice  was-  at  all  necessary.  Mile 
after  mile  was,  however,  passed  through  the  boundless  woods,  in 
this  painful  manner,  without  any  prospect  of  a  termination 
to  their  journey.  Heyward  watched  the  sun,  as  he  darted  his 
meridian  rays  through  the  branches  of  the  trees,  and  pined  for 
the  moment  when  the  policy  of  Magua  should  change  their  route 
to  one  more  favorable  to  his  hopes.  Sometimes  he  fancied  the 
wary  savage,  despairing  of  passing  the  arm  of  Montcalm  in 
safety,  was  holding  his  way  towards  a  well-known  border  settle 
ment,  where  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  crown,  and  a  favored 
friend  of  the  Six  Nations,  held  his  large  possessions,  as  well  as 
his  usual  residence.  To  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  Sir  "William 
Johnson  was  far  preferable  to  being  led  into  the  wilds  of  Canada; 
but  in  order  to  effect  even  the  former,  it  would  be  necessary  to 
traverse  the  forest  for  many  weary  leagues,  each  step  of  which 
was  carrying  him  farther  from  the  scene  of  the  war,  and,  conse 
quently,  from  the  post,  not  only  of  honor,  but  of  duty. 

Cora  alone  remembered  the  parting  injunctions  of  the  scout, 
and  whenever  an  opportunity  offered,  she  stretched  forth  her  arm 
to  bend  aside  the  twigs  that  met  her  hands.  But  the  vigilance  of 
the  Indians  rendered  this  act  of  precaution  both  difficult  and 
dangerous.  She  was  often  defeated  in  her  purpose,  by  encounter 
ing  their  watchful  eyes,  when  it  became  necessary  to  feign  an 
alarm  she  did  not  feel,  and  occupy  the  limb  by  some  gesture  of 


98  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

feminine  apprehension.  Once,  and  once  only,  was  she  completely 
successful;  when  she  broke  down  the  bough  of  a  large  sumach, 
and,  by  a  sudden  thought,  let  her  glove  fall  at  the  same  instant. 
This  sign,  intended  for  those  that  might  follow,  was  observed  by 
one  of  her  conductors,  who  restored  the  glove,  broke  the  remain 
ing  branches  of  the  bush  in  such  a  manner  that  it  appeared  to 
proceed  from  the  struggling  of  some  beast  in  its  branches,  and 
then  laid  his  hand  on  his  tomahawk,  with  a  look  so  significant,  that 
it  put  an  effectual  end  to  these  stolen  memorials  of  their  passage. 

As  there  were  horses,  to  leave  the  prints' of  their  footsteps,  in 
both  bands  of  the  Indians,  this  interruption  cut  off  any  probable 
hopes  of  assistance  being  conveyed  through  the  means  of  their 
trail. 

Heyward  would  have  ventured  a  remonstrance,  had  there 
been  anything  encouraging  in  the  gloomy  reserve  of  Magua.  But 
the  savage,  during  all  this  time,  seldom  turned  to  look  at  his  fol 
lowers,  and  never  spoke.  With  the  sun  for  his  only  guide,  or  aided 
by  such  blind  marks  as  are  only  known  to  the  sagacity  of  a  native, 
he  held  his  way  along  the  barrens  of  pine,  through  occasional  little 
fertile  vales,  across  brooks  and  rivulets,  and  over  undulating  hills, 
with  the  accuracy  of  instinct,  and  nearly  with  the  directness  of  a 
bird.  He  never  seemed  to  hesitatelAVhether  the  path  was  hardly 
distinguishable,  whether  it  disappeared,  or  whether  it  lay  beaten 
and  plain  before  him,  made  no  sensible  difference  in  his  speed  or 
certainty.  It  seemed  as  if  fatigue  could  not  affect  him.  When 
ever  the  eyes  of  the  wearied  travellers  rose  from  the  decayed 
leaves  over  which  they  trod,  his  dark  form  was  to  be  seen  glancing 
among  the  stems  of  the  trees  in  front,  his  head  immovably  fastened 
in  a  forward  position,  with  the  light  plume  on  his  crest  flut 
tering  in  a  current  of  air,  made  solely  by  the  swiftness  of  his 
own  motion. 

But  all  this  diligence  and  speed  were  not  without  an  object. 
After  crossing  a  low  vale,  through  which  a  gushing  brook  mean 
dered,  he  suddenly  ascended  a  hill,  so  steep  and  difficult  of  ascent, 
that  the  sisters  were  compelled  to  alight,  in  order  to  follow.  When 
the  summit  was  gained,  they  found  themselves  on  a  level  spot, 
but  thinly  covered  with  trees,  under  one  of  which  Magua  had 
thrown  his  dark  form,  as  if  willing  and  ready  to  seek  that  rest 
which  was  so  much  needed  by  the  whole  party. 


CHAPTER    XI 

"Cursed  by  my  tribe 
If  I  forgive  him." 

Shylock. 

THE  Indian  had  selected,  for  this  desirable  purpose,  one  of  those 
steep,  pyramidal  hills,  which  bear  a  strong  resemblance  to  arti 
ficial  mounds,  and  which  so  frequently  occur  in  the  valleys  of 
America.  The  one  in  question  was  high  and  precipitous ;  its  top 
flattened,  as  usual;  but  with  one  of  its  sides  more  than  ordinarily 
irregular.  It  possessed  no  other  apparent  advantage  for  a  rest 
ing-place  than  in  its  elevation  and  form,  which  might  render 
defence  easy,  and  surprise  nearly  impossible.  As  Heyward,  how 
ever,  no  longer  expected  that  rescue  which  time  and  distance  now 
rendered  so  improbable,  he  regarded  these  little  peculiarities  with 
an  eye  devoid  of  interest,  devoting  himself  entirely  to  the  comfort 
and  condolence  of  his  feebler  companions.  The  Narragansetts 
were  suffered  to  browse  on  the  branches  of  the  trees  and  shrubs 
that  were  thinly  scattered  over  the  summit  of  the  hill,  while  the 
remains  of  their  provisions  were  spread  under  the  shade  of  a 
beech,  that  stretched  its  horizontal  limbs  like  a  canopy  above 
them. 

Notwithstanding  the  swiftness  of  their  flight,  one  of  the  In 
dians  had  found  an  opportunity  to  strike  a  straggling  fawn  with 
an  arrow,  and  had  borne  the  more  preferable  fragments  of  the 
victim  patiently  on  his  shoulders,  to  the  stopping-place.  Without 
any  aid  from  the  science  of  cookery,  he  was  immediately  em 
ployed,  in  common  with  his  fellows,  in  gorging  himself  with  this 
digestible  sustenance.  Magua  alone  sat  apart,  without  partici 
pation  in  the  revolting  meal,  and  apparently  buried  in  the  deepest 
thought. 

This  abstinence,  so  remarkable  in  an  Indian,  when  he  pos 
sessed  the  means  of  satisfying  hunger,  at  length  attracted  the 
notice  of  Heyward.  The  young  man  willingly  believed  that  the 
Huron  deliberated  on  the  most  eligible  manner  of  eluding  the 

99 


100  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

vigilance  of  his  associates.  With  a  view  to  assist  his  plans,  hy  any 
suggestion  of  his  own,  and  to  strengthen  the  temptation,  he  left 
the  beech,  and  straggled  as  if  without  an  object,  to  the  spot 
where  Le  Renard  was  seated. 

"Has  not  Magua  kept  the  sun  in  his  face  long  enough  to 
escape  all  danger  from  the  Canadians?"  he  asked,  as  though  no 
longer  doubtful  of  the  good  intelligence  established  between 
them;  "and  will  not  the  chief  of  William  Henry  be  better  pleased 
to  see  his  daughters  before  another  night  may  have  hardened  his 
heart  to  their  loss,  to  make  him  less  liberal  in  his  reward?" 

"Do  the  pale-faces  love  their  children  less  in  the  morning  than 
at  night?"  asked  the  Indian,  coldly. 

"By  no  means,"  returned  Heyward,  anxious  to  recall  his  error, 
if  he  had  made  one;  "the  white  man  may,  and  does  often,  forget 
the  burial-place  of  his  fathers;  he  sometimes  ceases  to  remember 
those  he  should  love  and  has  promised  to  cherish;  but  the  affec 
tion  of  a  parent  for  his  child  is  never  permitted  to  die." 

"And  is  the  heart  of  the  white-headed  chief  soft,  and  will  he 
think  of  the  babes  that  his  squaws  have  given  him?  He  is  hard 
to  his  warriors,  and  his  eyes  are  made  of  stone  1" 

"He  is  severe  to  the  idle  and  wicked,  but  to  the  sober  and 
deserving  he  is  a  leader,  but  just  and  humane.  I  have  known 
many  fond  and  tender  parents,  but  never  have  I  seen  a  man  whose 
heart  was  softer  towards  his  child.  You  have  seen  the  gray-head 
in  front  of  his  warriors,  Magua;  but  I  have  seen  his  eyes  swim 
ming  in  water,  when  he  spoke  of  those  children  who  are  now  in 
your  power!" 

Heyward  paused,  for  he  knew  not  how  to  construe  the  remark 
able  expression  that  gleamed  across  the  swarthy  features  of  the 
attentive  Indian.  At  first  it  seemed  as  if  the  remembrance  of  the 
promised  reward  grew  vivid  in  his  mind,  while  he  listened  to  the 
.sources  of  parental  feeling  which  were  to  assure  its  possession; 
but  as  Duncan  proceeded,  the  expression  of  joy  became  so  fiercely 
malignant,  that  it  was  impossible  not  to  apprehend  it  proceeded 
from  some  passion  more  sinister  than  avarice. 

"Go,"  said  the  Huron,  suppressing  the  alarming  exhibition  in 
an  instant,  in  a  death-like  calmness  of  countenance;  "go  to  the 
dark-haired  daughter,  and  say,  Magua  waits  to  speak.  The 
father  will  remember  what  the  child  promises." 

Duncan,  who  interpreted  this  speech  to  express  a  wish  for 
some  additional  pledge  that  the  promised  gifts  should  not  be  with- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  101 

held,  slowly  and  reluctantly  repaired  to  the  place  where  the  sisters 
were  now  resting  from  their  fatigue,  to  communicate  its  purport 
to  Cora. 

"You  understand  the  nature  of  an  Indian's  wishes,"  he  con 
cluded,  as  he  led  her  towards  the  place  where  she  was  expected, 
"and  must  be  prodigal  of  your  offers  of  powder  and  blankets. 
Ardent  spirits  are,  however,  the  most  prized  by  such  as  he;  nor 
would  it  be  amiss  to  add  some  boon  from  your  own  hand,  with 
that  grace  you  so  well  know  how  to  practise.  Remember,  Cora, 
that  on  your  presence  of  mind  and  ingenuity  even  your  life,  as 
well  as  that  of  Alice,  may  in  some  measure  depend." 

"Hey ward,  and  yours!" 

"Mine  is  of  little  moment;  it  is  already  sold  to  my  king,  and 
is  a  prize  to  be  seized  by  any  enemy  who  may  possess  the  power. 
I  have  no  father  to  expect  me,  and  but  few  friends  to  lament  a 
fate  which  I  have  courted  with  the  insatiable  longings  of  youth 
after  distinction.  But  hush!  we  approach  the  Indian.  Magua, 
the  lady  with  whom  you  wish  to  speak  is  here." 

The  Indian  rose  slowly  from  his  seat,  and  stood  for  near  a 
minute  silent  and  motionless.  He  then  signed  with  his  hand  for 
Heyward  to  retire,  saying  coldly, — 

"When  the  Huron  talks  to  the  women,  his  tribe  shut  their 
ears." 

Duncan,  still  lingering,  as  if  refusing  to  comply,  Cora  said, 
with  a  calm  smile — 

"You  hear,  Heyward,  and  delicacy  at  least  should  urge  you 
to  retire.  Go  to  Alice,  and  comfort  her  with  our  reviving 
prospects." 

She  waited  until  he  had  departed,  and  then  turning  to  the 
native,  with  the  dignity  of  her  sex  in  her  voice  and  manner,  she 
added,  "What  would  Le  Renard  say  to  the  daughter  of  Munro?" 

"Listen,"  said  the  Indian,  laying  his  hand  firmly  upon  her 
arm,  as  if  willing  to  draw  her  utmost  attention  to  his  words; 
a  movement  that  Cora  as  firmly  but  quietly  repulsed,  by  extri 
cating  the  limb  from  his  grasp :  "Magua  was  born  a  chief  and  a 
warrior  among  the  red  Hurons  of  the  lakes;  he  saw  the  suns  of 
twenty  summers  make  the  snows  of  twenty  winters  run  off  in 
the  streams,  before  he  saw  a  pale-face;  and  he  was  happy!  Then 
his  Canada  fathers  came  into  the  woods,  and  taught  him  to  drink 
the  fire-water,  and  he  became  a  rascal.  The  Hurons  drove  him 
from  the  graves  of  his  fathers,  as  they  would  chase  the  hunted 


102  THE   LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS 

buffalo.  He  ran  down  the  shores  of  the  lakes,  and  followed  their 
outlet  to  the  'city  of  cannon.'  There  he  hunted  and  fished,  till  the 
people  chased  him  again  through  the  woods  into  the  arms  of  his 
enemies.  The  chief,  who  was  born  a  Huron,  was  at  last  a  warrior 
among  the  Mohawks!" 

"Something  like  this  I  had  heard  before,"  said  Cora,  observ 
ing  that  he  paused  to  suppress  those  passions  which  began  to  burn 
with  too  bright  a  flame,  as  he  recalled  the  recollection  of  his  sup 
posed  injuries. 

"Was  it  the  fault  of  Le  Renard  that  his  head  was  not  made 
of  rock?  Who  gave  him  the  fire-water?  who  made  him  a  villain? 
'Twas  the  pale-faces,  the  people  of  your  own  color." 

"And  am  I  answerable  that  thoughtless  and  unprincipled  men 
exist,  whose  shades  of  countenance  may  resemble  mine?"  Cora 
calmly  demanded  of  the  excited  savage. 

"No;  Magua  is  a  man,  and  not  a  fool;  such  as  you  never  open 
their  lips  to  the  burning  stream:  the  Great  Spirit  has  given  you 
wisdom!" 

"What  then  have  I  to  do,  or  say,  in  the  matter  of  your  mis 
fortunes,  not  to  say  of  your  errors?" 

"Listen,"  repeated  the  Indian,  resuming  his  earnest  attitude; 
"when  his  English  and  French  fathers  dug  up  the  hatchet,  Le 
Renard  struck  the  war-post  of  the  Mohawks,  and  went  out  against 
his  own  nation.  The  pale-faces  have  driven  the  redskins  from 
their  hunting-grounds,  and  now  when  they  fight,  a  white  man 
leads  the  way.  The  old  chief  at  Horican,  your  father,  was  the 
great  captain  of  our  war-party.  He  said  to  the  Mohawks  do  this, 
and  do  that,  and  he  was  minded.  He  made  a  law,  that  if  an 
Indian  swallowed  the  fire-water,  and  came  into  the  cloth  wigwams 
of  his  warriors,  it  should  not  be  forgotten.  Magua  foolishly 
opened  his  mouth,  and  the  hot  liquor  led  him  into  the  cabin  of 
Munro.  What  did  the  gray-head?  let  his  daughter  say." 

"He  forgot  not  his  words,  and  did  justice  by  punishing  the 
offender,"  said  the  undaunted  daughter. 

"Justice!"  repeated  the  Indian,  casting  an  oblique  glance  of 
the  most  ferocious  expression  at  her  unyielding  countenance;  "is 
it  justice  to  make  evil,  and  then  punish  for  it?  Magua  was  not 
himself;  it  was  the  fire-water  that  spoke  and  acted  for  him!  but 
Munro  did  not  believe  it.  The  Huron  chief  was  tied  up  before  all 
the  pale-faced  warriors,  and  whipped  like  a  dog."  <,,.  ,u_ 

Cora  remained  silent,  for  she  knew  not  how  to  palliate  this 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  103 

imprudent  severity  on  the  part  of  her  father,  in  a  manner  to  suit 
the  comprehension  of  an  Indian. 

"See!"  continued  Magua,  tearing  aside  the  slight  calico  that 
very  imperfectly  concealed  his  painted  breast;  "here  are  scars 
given  by  knives  and  bullets — of  these  a  warrior  may  boast  before 
his  nation;  but  the  gray-head  has  left  marks  on  the  back  of  the 
Huron  chief,  that  he  must  hide,  like  a  squaw,  under  this  painted 
cloth  of  the  whites." 

"I  had  thought,"  resumed  Cora,  "that  an  Indian  warrior  was 
patient,  and  that  his  spirit  felt  not,  and  knew  not,  the  pain  his 
body  suffered." 

"When  the  Chippewas  tied  Magua  to  the  stake,  and  cut  this 
gash,"  said  the  other,  laying  his  finger  on  a  deep  scar,  "the  Huron 
laughed  in  their  faces,  and  told  them,  Women  struck  so  light! 
His  spirit  was  then  in  the  clouds!  But  when  he  felt  the  blows  of 
Munro,  his  spirit  lay  under  the  birch.  The  spirit  of  a  Huron  is 
never  drunk;  it  remembers  forever!" 

"But  it  may  be  appeased.  If  my  father  has  done  you  this  in 
justice,  show  him  how  an  Indian  can  forgive  an  injury,  and  take 
back  his  daughters.  You  have  heard  from  Major  Hey  ward— 

Magua  shook  his  head,  forbidding  the  repetition  of  offers  he 
so  much  despised. 

"What  would  you  have?"  continued  Cora,  after  a  most  pain 
ful  pause,  while  the  conviction  forced  itself  on  her  mind  that  the 
too  sanguine  and  generous  Duncan  had  been  cruelly  deceived  by 
the  cunning  of  the  savage. 

"What  a  Huron  loves — good  for  good;  bad  for  bad!" 

"You  would  then  revenge  the  injury  inflicted  by  Munro  on 
his  helpless  daughters.  Would  it  not  be  more  like  a  man  to  go 
before  his  face,  and  take  the  satisfaction  of  a  warrior?" 

"The  arms  of  the  pale-faces  are  long,  and  their  knives  sharp !" 
returned  the  savage,  with  a  malignant  laugh:  "why  should  Le 
Renard  go  among  the  muskets  of  his  warriors,  when  he  holds  the 
spirit  of  the  gray-head  in  his  hand?" 

"Name  your  intention,  Magua,"  said  Cora,  struggling  with 
herself  to  speak  with"  steady  calmness.  "Is  it  to  lead  us  prisoners 
to  the  woods,  or  do  you  contemplate  even  some  greater  evil?  Is 
there  no  reward,  no  means  of  palliating  the  injury,  and  of  soften 
ing  your  heart?  At  least,  release  my  gentle  sister,  and  pour  out 
all  your  malice  on  me.  Purchase  wealth  by  her  safety,  and  satisfy 
your  revenge  with  a  single  victim.  The  loss  of  both  of  his  daugh- 


104  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

ters  might  bring  the  aged  man  to  his  grave,  and  where  would  then 
be  the  satisfaction  of  Le  Renard?" 

"Listen,"  said  the  Indian  again.  "The  light  eyes  can  go  back 
to  the  Horican,  and  tell  the  old  chief  what  has  been  done,  if  the 
dark-haired  woman  will  swear  by  the  Great  Spirit  of  her  fathers 
to  tell  no  lie." 

"What  must  I  promise?"  demanded  Cora,  still  maintaining 
a  secret  ascendency  over  the  fierce  native,  by  the  collected  and 
feminine  dignity  of  her  presence. 

"When  Magua  left  his  people,  his  wife  was  given  to  another 
chief ;  he  has  now  made  friends  with  the  Hurons,  and  will  go  back 
to  the  graves  of  his  tribe,  on  the  shores  of  the  great  lake.  Let  the 
daughter  of  the  English  chief  follow,  and  live  in  his  wigwam 
forever." 

However  revolting  a  proposal  of  such  a  character  might  prove 
to  Cora,  she  retained,  notwithstanding  her  powerful  disgust,  suf 
ficient  self-command  to  reply,  without  betraying  the  weakness. 

"And  what  pleasure  would  Magua  find  in  sharing  his  cabin 
with  a  wife  he  did  not  love;  one  who  would  be  of  a  nation  and 
color  different  from  his  own?  It  would  be  better  to  take  the  gold 
of  Munro,  and  buy  the  heart  of  some  Huron  maid  with  his  gifts." 

The  Indian  made  no  reply  for  near  a  minute,  but  bent  his 
fierce  looks  on  the  countenance  of  Cora,  in  such  wavering  glances, 
that  her  eyes  sank  with  shame,  under  an  impression  that,  for  the 
first  time,  they  had  encountered  an  expression  that  no  chaste 
female  might  endure.  While  she  was  shrinking  within  herself,  in 
dread  of  having  her  ears  wounded  by  some  proposal  still  more 
shocking  than  the  last,  the  voice  of  Magua  answered,  in  its  tones 
of  deepest  malignancy — 

"When  the  blows  scorched  the  back  of  the  Huron,  he  would 
know  where  to  .find  a  woman  to  feel  the  smart.  The  daughter  of 
Munro  would  draw  his  water,  hoe  his  corn,  and  cook  his  venison. 
The  body  of  the  gray-head  would  sleep  among  his  cannon,  but 
his  heart  would  lie  within  reach  of  the  knife  of  Le  Subtil." 

"Monster!  well  dost  thou  deserve  thy  treacherous  name!" 
cried  Cora,  in  an  ungovernable  burst  of -filial  indignation.  "None 
but  a  fiend  could  meditate  such  a  vengeance !  But  thou  overratest 
thy  power!  You  shall  find  it  is,  in  truth,  the  heart  of  Munro  you 
hold,  and  that  it  will  defy  your  utmost  malice!" 

The  Indian  answered  this  bold  defiance  by  a  ghastly  smile, 
that  showed  an  unaltered  purpose,  while  he  motioned  her  away, 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  105 

as  if  to  close  the  conference  forever.  Cora,  already  regretting  her 
precipitation,  was  obliged  to  comply,  for  Magua  instantly  left  the 
spot,  and  approached  his  gluttonous  comrades.  Keyword  flew 
to  the  side  of  the  agitated  female,  and  demanded  the  result  of  a 
dialogue  that  he  had  watched  at  a  distance  with  so  much  interest. 
But  unwilling  to  alarm  the  fears  of  Alice,  she  evaded  a  direct 
reply,  betraying  only  by  her  countenance  her  utter  want  of  suc 
cess,  and  keeping  her  anxious  looks  fastened  on  the  slightest 
movements  of  their  captors.  To  the  reiterated  and  earnest  ques 
tions  of  her  sister,  concerning  their  probable  destination,  she  made 
no  other  answer  than  by  pointing  towards  the  dark  group,  with  an 
agitation  she  could  not  control,  and  murmuring,  as  she  folded 
Alice  to  her  bosom— 

"There,  there;  read  our  fortunes  in  their  faces;  we  shall  see; 
we  shall  see!" 

The  action,  and  the  choked  utterance  of  Cora,  spoke  more  im 
pressively  than  any  words,  and  quickly  drew  the  attention  of  her 
companions  on  that  spot  where  her  own  was  riveted  with  an  in- 
tenseness  that  nothing  but  the  importance  of  the  stake  could 
create. 

When  Magua  reached  the  cluster  of  lolling  savages,  who, 
gorged  with  their  disgusting  meal,  lay  stretched  on  the  earth  in 
brutal  indulgence,  he  commenced  speaking  with  the  dignity  of  an 
Indian  chief.  The  first  syllables  he  uttered  had  the  effect  to  cause 
his  listeners  to  raise  themselves  in  attitudes  of  respectful  atten 
tion.  As  the  Huron  used  his  native  language,  the  prisoners,  not 
withstanding  the  caution  of  the  natives  had  kept  them  within  the 
swing  of  their  tomahawks,  could  only  conjecture  the  substance 
of  his  hfrrangue,  from  the  nature  of  those  significant  gestures 
with  which  an  Indian  always  illustrates  his  eloquence. 

At  first,  the  language,  as  well  as  the  action  of  Magua,  ap 
peared  calm  and  deliberate.  When  he  had  succeeded  in  suffi 
ciently  awakening  the  attention  of  his  comrades,  Heyward  fan 
cied,  by  his  pointing  so  frequently  towards  the  direction  of  the 
great  lakes,  that  he  spoke  of  the  land  of  their  fathers,  and  of  their 
distant  tribe.  Frequent  indications  of  applause  escaped  the  listen 
ers,  who,  as  they  uttered  the  expressive  "Hugh!"  looked  at  each 
other  in  commendation  of  the  speaker.  Le  Renard  was  too  skilful 
to  neglect  his  advantage.  He  now  spoke  of  the  long  and  painful 
route  by  which  they  had  left  those  spacious  grounds  and  happy 
villages,  to  come  and  battle  against  the  enemies  of  their  Canadian 


106  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

fathers.  He  enumerated  the  warriors  of  the  party;  their  several 
merits;  their  frequent  services  to  the  nation;  their  wounds,  and 
the  number  of  the  scalps  they  had  taken.  Whenever  he  alluded 
to  any  present  (and  the  subtle  Indian  neglected  none),  the  dark 
countenance  of  the  flattered  individual  gleamed  with  exultation, 
nor  did  he  even  hesitate  to  assert  the  truth  of  the  words,  by  ges 
tures  of  applause  and  confirmation.  Then  the  voice  of  the  speaker 
fell,  and  lost  the  loud,  animated  tones  of  triumph  with  which  he 
had  enumerated  their  deeds  of  success  and  victory.  He  described 
the  cataract  of  Glenn's;  the  impregnable  position  of  its  rocky 
island,  with  its  caverns,  and  its  numerous  rapids  and  whirlpools; 
he  named  the  name  of  La  Longue  Carabine,  and  paused  until  the 
forest  beneath  them  had  sent  up  the  last  echo  of  a  loud  and  long 
yell,  with  which  the  hated  appellation  was  received.  He  pointed 
towards  the  youthful  military  captive,  and  described  the  death  of 
a  favorite  warrior,  who  had  been  precipitated  into  the  deep  ravine 
by  his  hand.  He  not  only  mentioned  the  fate  of  him  who,  hang 
ing  between  heaven  and  earth,  had  presented  such  a  spectacle  of 
horror  to  the  whole  band,  but  he  acted  anew  the  terrors  of  his 
situation,  his  resolution  and  his  death,  on  the  branches  of  a  sap 
ling;  and,  finally,  he  rapidly  recounted  the  manner  in  which  each 
of  their  friends  had  fallen,  never  failing  to  touch  upon  their  cour 
age,  and  their  most  acknowledged  virtues.  When  this  recital  of 
events  was  ended,  his  voice  once  more  changed,  and  became  plain 
tive,  and  even  musical,  in  its  low  guttural  sounds.  He  now  spoke 
of  the  wives  and  children  of  the  slain;  their  destitution;  their 
misery,  both  physical  and  moral;  their  distance;  and,  at  last,  of 
their  unavenged  wrongs.  Then  suddenly  lifting  his  voice  to  a 
pitch  of  terrific  energy,  he  concluded,  by  demanding, — 

"Are  the  Hurons  dogs  to  bear  this?  Who  shall  say  to  the 
wife  of  Menowgua  that  the  fishes  have  his  scalp,  and  that  his  na 
tion  have  not  taken  revenge!  Who  will  dare  meet  the  mother 
of  Wassawattimie,  that  scornful  woman,  with  his  hands  clean! 
What  shall  be  said  to  the  old  men  when  they  ask  us  for  scalps,  and 
we  have  not  a  hair  from  a  white  head  to  give  them!  The  women 
will  point  their  fingers  at  us.  There  is  a  dark  spot  on  the  names  of 
the  Hurons,  and  it  must  be  hid  in  blood!" 

His  voice  was  no  longer  audible  in  the  burst  of  rage  which 
now  broke  into  the  air,  as  if  the  wood,  instead  of  containing  so 
small  a  band,  was  filled  with  the  nation.  During  the  foregoing 
address  the  progress  of  the  speaker  was  too  plainly  read  by  those 


THE    LAST    OF   THE    MOHICANS  107 

most  interested  in  his  success,  through  the  medium  of  the1  coun 
tenances  of  the  men  he  addressed.  They  had  answered  his  melan 
choly  and  mourning  by  sympathy  and  sorrow;  his  assertions,  by 
gestures  of  confirmation;  and  his  boastings,  with  the  exultation  of 
savages.  When  he  spoke  of  courage,  their  looks  were  firm  and 
responsive;  when  he  alluded  to  their  injuries,  their  eyes  kindled 
with  fury;  when  he  mentioned  the  taunts  of  the  women,  they 
dropped  their  heads  in  shame;  but  when  he  pointed  out  their 
means  of  vengeance,  he  struck  a  chord  which  never  failed  to  thrill 
in  the  breast  of  an  Indian.  With  the  first  intimation  that  it  was 
within  their  reach,  the  whole  band  sprang  upon  their  feet  as  one 
man;  giving  utterance  to  their  rage  in  the  most  frantic  cries,  they 
rushed  upon  their  prisoners  in  a  body  with  drawn  knives  and 
uplifted  tomahawks.  Hey  ward  threw  himself  between  the 
sisters  and  the  foremost,  whom  he  grappled  with  a  desperate 
strength  that  for  a  moment  checked  his  violence.  This  unex 
pected  resistance  gave  Magua  time  to  interpose,  and  with  rapid 
enunciation  and  animated  gesture,  he  drew  the  attention  of  the 
band  again  to  himself.  In  that  language  he  knew  so  well  how  to 
assume,  he  diverted  his  comrades  from  their  instant  purpose,  and 
invited  them  to  prolong  the  misery  of  their  victims.  His  proposal 
was  received  with  acclamations,  and  executed  with  the  swiftness 
of  thought. 

Two  powerful  warriors  cast  themselves  on  Heyward,  while 
another  was  occupied  in  securing  the  less  active  singing-master. 
Neither  of  the  captives,  however,  submitted  without  a  desperate 
though  fruitless  struggle.  Even  David  hurled  his  assailant  to 
the  earth;  nor  was  Heyward  secured  until  the  victory  over  his 
companion  enabled  the  Indians  to  direct  their  united  force  to  that 
object.  He  was  then  bound  and  fastened  to  the  body  of  the  sap 
ling,  on  whose  branches  Magua  had  acted  the  pantomime  of  the 
falling  Huron.  When  the  young  soldier  regained  his  recollection, 
he  had  the  painful  certainty  before  his  eyes  that  a  common  fate 
was  intended  for  the  whole  party.  On  his  right  was  Cora,  in  a 
durance  similar  to  his  own,  pale  and  agitated,  but  with  an  eye, 
whose  steady  look  still  read  the  proceedings  of  their  enemies.  On 
his  left,  the  withes  which  bound  her  to  a  pine,  performed  that 
office  for  Alice  which  her  trembling  limbs  refused,  and  alone  kept 
her  fragile  form  from  sinking.  Her  hands  were  clasped  before 
her  in  prayer,  but  instead  of  looking  upwards  towards  that  power 
which  alone  could  rescue  them,  her  unconscious  looks  wandered  to 


108  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

the  countenance  of  Duncan  with  infantile  dependency.  David 
had  contended,  and  the  novelty  of  the  circumstance  held  him 
silent,  in  deliberation  on  the  propriety  of  the  unusual  occur 
rence. 

The  vengeance  of  the  Hurons  had  now  taken  a  new  direction, 
and  they  prepared  to  execute  it  with  that  barbarous  ingenuity 
with  which  they  were  familiarized  by  the  practice  of  centuries. 
Some  sought  knots,  to  raise  the  blazing  pile;  one  was  riving  the 
splinters  of  pine,  in  order  to  pierce  the  ilesh  of  their  captives  with 
the  burning  fragments;  and  others  bent  the  tops  of  two  saplings 
to  the  earth,  in  order  to  suspend  Heyward  by  the  arms  between 
the  recoiling  branches.  _  But  the  vengeance  of  Magua  sought  a 
deeper  and  a  more  malignant  enjoyment. 

While  the  less  refined  monsters  of  the  band  prepared,  before 
the  eyes  of  those  who  were  to  suffer,  these  well  known  and  vulgar 
means  of  torture,  he  approached  Cora,  and  pointed  out,  with  the 
most-  malign  expression  of  countenance,  the  speedy  fate  that 
awaited  her : — 

"Ha!"  he  added,  "what  says  the  daughter  of  Munro?  Her 
head  is  too  good  to  find  a  pillow  in  the  wigwam  of  Le  Renard; 
will  she  like  it  better  when  it  rolls  about  this  hill  a  plaything 
for  the  wolves?  Her  bosom  cannot  nurse  the  children  of  a 
Huron;  she  will  see  it  spit  upon  by  Indians!" 

"What  means  the  monster!"  demanded  the  astonished  Hey 
ward. 

"Nothing!"  was  the  firm  reply.  "He  is  a  savage,  a  barbarous 
and  ignorant  savage,  and  knows  not  what  he  does.  Let  us  find 
leisure,  with  our  dying  breath,  to  ask  for  him  penitence  and 
pardon." 

"Pardon!"  echoed  the  fierce  Huron,  mistaking,  in  his  anger, 
the  meaning  of  her  words;  "the  memory  of  an  Indian  is  longer 
than  the  arm  of  the  pale-faces;  his  mercy  shorter  than  their  jus 
tice!  Say;  shall  I  send  the  yellow  hair  to  her  father,  and  will  you 
follow  Magua  to  the  great  lakes,  to  carry  his  water,  and  feed  him 
with  corn?" 

Cora  beckoned  him  away,  with  an  emotion  of  disgust  she  could 
not  control. 

"Leave  me,"  she  said,  with  a  solemnity  that  for  a  moment 
checked  the  barbarity  of  the  Indian ;  "you  mingle  bitterness  in  my 
prayers;  you  stand  between  me  and  my  God!" 

The  slight  impression  produced  on  the  savage  was,  however, 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  109 

soon  forgotten,  and  he  continued  pointing,  with  taunting  irony, 
towards  Alice. 

"Look!  the  child  weeps!  She  is  young  to  die!  Send  her  to 
Munro,  to  comb  his  gray  hairs,  and  keep  life  in  the  heart  of  the 
old  man." 

Cora  could  not  resist  the  desire  to  look  upon  her  youthful  sis 
ter,  in  whose  eyes  she  met  an  imploring  glance,  that  betrayed  the 
longings  of  nature. 

"What  says  he,  dearest  Cora?"  asked  the  trembling  voice  of 
Alice.  "Did  he  speak  of  sending  me  to  our  father?" 

For  many  moments  the  elder  sister  looked  upon  the  younger, 
with  a  countenance  that  wavered  with  powerful  and  contending 
emotions.  At  length  she  spoke,  though  her  tones  had  lost  their 
rich  and  calm  fulness,  in  an  expression  of  tenderness  that  seemed 
maternal. 

"Alice,"  she  said,  "the  Huron  offers  us  both  life,  nay,  more 
than  both;  he  offers  to  restore  Duncan,  our  invaluable  Duncan, 
as  well  as  you,  to  our  friends — to  our  father — to  our  heart- 
stricken,  childless  father,  if  I  will  bow  down  this  rebellious,  stub 
born  pride  of  mine,  and  consent — 

Her  voice  became  choked,  and  clasping  her  hands,  she  looked 
upward,  as  if  seeking,  in  her  agony,  intelligence  from  a  wisdom 
that  was  infinite. 

"Say  on,"  cried  Alice;  "to  what,  dearest  Cora?  O,  that  the 
proffer  were  made  to  me!  to  save  you,  to  cheer  our  aged  father, 
to  restore  Duncan,  how  cheerfully  could  I  die !" 

"Die!"  repeated  Cora,  with  a  calmer  and  a  firmer  voice,  "that 
were  easy !  Perhaps  the  alternative  may  not  be  less  so.  He  would 
have  me,"  she  continued,  her  accents  sinking  under  a  deep  con 
sciousness  of  the  degradation  of  the  proposal,  "follow  him  to  the 
wilderness;  go  to  the  habitations  of  the  Hurons;  to  remain  there: 
in  short  to  become  his  wife!  Speak,  then,  Alice;  child  of  my 
affections!  sister  of  my  love!  And  you,  too,  Major  Hey  ward, 
aid  my  wreak  reason  with  your  counsel.  Is  life  to  be  purchased  by 
such  a  sacrifice?  Will  you,  Alice,  receive  it  at  my  hands  at  such 
a  price?  And  you,  Duncan,  guide  me;  control  me  between  you; 
for  I  am  wholly  yours." 

"Would  I!"  echoed  the  indignant  and  astonished  youth. 
"Cora!  Cora!  you  jest  with  our  misery!  Name  not  the  horrid 
alternative  again;  the  thought  itself  is  worse  than  a  thousand 
deaths." 


110  THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS 

"That  such  would  be  your  answer,  I  well  knew!"  exclaimed 
Cora,  her  cheeks  flushing,  and  her  dark  eyes  once  more  sparkling 
with  the  lingering  emotions  of  a  woman.  "What  says  my  Alice? 
for  her  will  I  submit  without  another  murmur." 

Although  both  Heyward  and  Cora  listened  with  painful  sus 
pense  and  the  deepest  attention,  no  sounds  were  heard  in  reply. 
It  appeared  as  if  the  delicate  and  sensitive  form  of  Alice  would 
shrink  into  itself,  as  she  listened  to  this  proposal.  Her  arms  had 
fallen  lengthwise  before  her,  the  fingers  moving  in  slight  con 
vulsions;  her  head  dropped  upon  her  bosom,  and  her  whole  person 
seemed  suspended  against  the  tree,  looking  like  some  beautiful 
emblem  of  the  wounded  delicacy  of  her  sex,  devoid  of  animation, 
and  yet  keenly  conscious.  In  a  few  moments,  however,  her  head 
began  to  move  slowly,  in  a  sign  of  deep,  unconquerable  dis 
approbation. 

"No,  no,  no;  better  that  we  die  as  we  have  lived,  together!" 

"Then  die!"  shouted  Magua,  hurling  his  tomahawk  with  vio 
lence  at  the  unresisting  speaker,  and  gnashing  his  teeth  with  a 
rage  that  could  no  longer  be  bridled,  at  this  sudden  exhibition  of 
firmness  in  the  one  he  believed  the  weakest  of  the  party.  The  axe 
cleaved  the  air  in  front  of  Heyward,  and  cutting  some  of  the 
flowing  ringlets  of  Alice,  quivered  in  the  tree  above  her  head. 
The  sight  maddened  Duncan  to  desperation.  Collecting  all  his 
energies  in  one  effort,  he  snapped  the  twigs  which  bound  him  and 
rushed  upon  another  savage  who  was  preparing  with  loud  yells, 
and  a  more  deliberate  aim,  to  repeat  the  blow.  They  encountered, 
grappled,  and  fell  to  the  earth  together.  The  .naked  body  of  his 
antagonist  afforded  Heyward  no  means  of  holding  his  adversary, 
who  glided  from  his  grasp,  and  rose  again  with  one  knee  on  his 
chest,  pressing  him  down  with  the  weight  of  a  giant.  Duncan 
already  saw  the  knife  gleaming  in  the  air,  when  a  whistling  sound 
swept  past  him,  and  was  rather  accompanied,  than  followed,  by 
the  sharp  crack  of  a  rifle.  He  felt  his  breast  relieved  from  the 
load  it  had  endured;  he  saw  the  savage  expression  of  his  adver 
sary's  countenance  change  to  a  look  of  vacant  wildness,  when  the 
Indian  fell  dead  on  the  faded  leaves  by  his  side. 


CHAPTER   XII 

"Clo. — I  am  gone,  sir, 
And  anon,  sir, 
I'll  be  with  you  again." 

Twelfth  Right. 

THE  Hurons  stood  aghast  at  this  sudden  visitation  of  death  on 
one  of  their  band.  But,  as  they  regarded  the  fatal  accuracy  of  an 
aim  which  had  dared  to  immolate  an  enemy  at  so  much  hazard 
to  a  friend,  the  name  of  "La  Longue  Carabine"  burst  simultane 
ously  from  every  lip,  and  was  succeeded  by  a  wild  and  a  sort  of 
plaintive  howl.  The  cry  was  answered  by  a  loud  shout  from  a 
little  thicket,  where  the  incautious  party  had  piled  their  arms; 
and  at  the  next  moment,  Hawkeye,  too  eager  to  load  the  rifle  he 
had  regained,  was  seen  advancing  upon  them,  brandishing  the 
clubbed  weapon,  and  cutting  the  air  with  wide  and  powerful 
sweeps.  Bold  and  rapid  as  was  the  progress  of  the  scout,  it  was 
exceeded  by  that  of  a  light  and  vigorous  form  which,  bounding 
past  him,  leaped,  with  incredible  activity  and  daring,  into  the  very 
centre  of  the  Hurons,  where  it  stood,  whirling  a  tomahawk,  and 
flourishing  a  glittering  knife,  with  fearful  menaces,  in  front  of 
Cora.  Quicker  than  the  thoughts  could  follow  these  unexpected 
and  audacious  movements,  an  image,  armed  in  the  emblematic 
panoply  of  death,  glided  before  their  eyes,  and  assumed  a  threat 
ening  attitude  at  the  other's  side.  The  savage  tormentors  recoiled 
before  these  warlike  intruders,  and  uttered  as  they  appeared  in 
such  quick  succession,  the  often  repeated  and  peculiar  exclama 
tion  of  surprise,  followed  by  the  well  known  and  dreaded  appel 
lations  of— 

"Le  Cerf  Agile!    Le  Gros  Serpent!" 

But  the  wary  and  vigilant  leader  of  the  Hurons  was  not  so 
easily  disconcerted.  Casting  his  keen  eyes  around  the  little  plain, 
he  comprehended  the  nature  of  the  assault  at  a  glance,  and  en 
couraging  his  followers  by  his  voice  as  well  as  by  his  example,  he 
unsheathed  his  long  and  dangerous  knife,  and  rushed  with  a  loud 
whoop  upon  the  expecting  Chingachgook.  It  was  the  signal  for 

ill 


112  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

a  general  combat.  Neither  party  had  fire-arms,  and  the  contest 
was  to  be  decided  in  the  deadliest  manner;  hand  to  hand,  with 
weapons  of  offence,  and  none  of  defence. 

Uncas  answered  the  whoop,  and  leaping  on  an  enemy,  with  a 
single,  well  directed  blow  of  his  tomahawk,  cleft  him  to  the  brain. 
Heyward  tore  the  weapon  of  Magua  from  the  sapling,  and  rushed 
eagerly  towards  the  fray.  As  the  combatants  were  now  equal  in 
number,  each  singled  an  opponent  from  the  adverse  band.  The 
rush  and  blows  passed  with  the  fury  of  a  whirlwind,  and  the 
swiftness  of  lightning.  Hawkeye  soon  got  another  enemy  within 
reach  of  his  arm,  and  with  one  sweep  of  his  formidable  weapon 
he  beat  down  the  slight  and  inartificial  defences  of  his  antagonist, 
crushing  him  to  the  earth  with  the  blow.  Heyward  ventured  to 
hurl  the  tomahawk  he  had  seized,  too  ardent  to  await  the  moment 
of  closing.  It  struck  the  Indian  he  had  selected  on  the  forehead, 
and  checked  for  an  instant  his  onward  rush.  Encouraged  by  this 
slight  advantage,  the  impetuous  young  man  continued  his  onset, 
and  sprang  upon  his  enemy  with  naked  hands.  A  single  instant 
was  enough  to  assure  him  of  the  rashness  of  the  measure,  for  he 
immediately  found  himself  fully  engaged,  with  all  his  activity  and 
courage,  in  endeavoring  to  ward  the  desperate  thrusts  made  with 
the  knife  of  the  Huron.  Unable  longer  to  foil  an  enemy  so  alert 
and  vigilant,  he  threw  his  arms  about  him,  and  succeeded  in  pin 
ning  the  limbs  of  the  other  to  his  side,  with  an  iron  grasp,  but  one 
that  was  far  too  exhausting  to  himself  to  continue  long.  In  this 
extremity  he  heard  a  voice  near  him,  shouting— 

"Extarminate  the  varlets!  no  quarter  to  an  accursed  Mingol" 

At  the  next  moment,  the  breech  of  Hawkeye's  rifle  fell  on 
the  naked  head  of  his  adversary,  whose  muscles  appeared  to 
wither  under  the  shock,  as  he  sank  from  the  arms  of  Duncan,  flex 
ible  and  motionless. 

When  Uncas  had  brained  his  first  antagonist,  he  turned,  like 
a  hungry  lion,  to  seek  another.  The  fifth  and  only  Huron  dis 
engaged  at  the  first  onset  had  paused  a  moment,  and  then  seeing 
that  all  around  him  were  employed  in  the  deadly  strife,  he  sought, 
with  hellish  vengeance,  to  complete  the  baffled  work  of  revenge. 
Raising  a  shout  of  triumph,  he  sprang  towards  the  defenceless 
Cora,  sending  his  keen  axe,  as  the  dreadful  precursor  of  his  ap 
proach.  The  tomahawk  grazed  her  shoulder,  and  cutting  the 
withes  which  bound  her  to  the  tree,  left  the  maiden  at  liberty  to 
fly.  She  eluded  the  grasp  of  the  savage,  and  reckless  of  her  own 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  113 

safety,  threw  herself  on  the  bosom,  of  Alice,  striving  with  con 
vulsed  and  ill-directed  fingers,  to  tear  asunder  the  twigs  which 
confined  the  person  of  her  sister.  Any  other  than  a  monster 
would  have  relented  at  such  an  act  of  generous  devotion  to  the 
best  and  purest  affection;  but  the  breast  of  the  Huron  was  a 
stranger  to  sympathy.  Seizing  Cora  by  the  rich  tresses  which  fell 
in  confusion  about  her  form,  he  tore  her  from  her  frantic  hold, 
and  bowed  her  down  with  brutal  violence  to  her  knees.  The 
savage  drew  the  flowing  curls  through  his  hand,  and  raising  them 
on  high  with  an  outstretched  arm,  he  passed  the  knife  around  the 
exquisitely  moulded  head  of  his  victim,  with  a  taunting  and  exult 
ing  laugh.  But  he  purchased  this  moment  of  fierce  gratification 
with  the  loss  of  the  fatal  opportunity.  It  was  just  then  the  sight 
caught  the  eye  of  Uncas.  Bounding  from  his  footsteps  he  ap 
peared  for  an  instant  darting  through  the  air,  and  descending 
in  a  ball  he  fell  on  the  chest  of  his  enemy,  driving  him  many  yards 
from  the  spot,  headlong  and  prostrate.  The  violence  of  the  exer 
tion  cast  the  young  Mohican  at  his  side.  They  arose  together, 
fought,  and  bled,  each  in  his  turn.  But  the  conflict  was  soon 
decided;  the  tomahawk  of  Heyward  and  the  rifle  of  Hawkeye 
descended  on  the  skull  of  the  Huron,  at  the  same  moment  that 
the  knife  of  Uncas  reached  his  heart. 

The  battle  was  now  entirely  terminated,  with  the  exception 
of  the  protracted  struggle  between  Le  Renard  Subtil  and  Le 
Gros  Serpent.  Well  did  these  barbarous  warriors  prove  that 
they  deserved  those  significant  names  which  had  been  bestowed 
for  deeds  in  former  wars.  When  they  engaged,  some  little  time 
was  lost  in  eluding  the  quick  and  vigorous  thrusts  which  had  been 
aimed  at  their  lives.  Suddenly  darting  on  each  other,  they  closed, 
and  came  to  the  earth,  twisted  together  like  twining  serpents,  in 
pliant  and  subtle  folds.  At  the  moment  when  the  victors  found 
themselves  unoccupied,  the  spot  where  these  experienced  and 
desperate  combatants  lay,  could  only  be  distinguished  by  a  cloud 
of  dust  and  leaves  which  moved  from  the  centre  of  the  little  plain 
towards  its  boundary,  as  if  raised  by  the  passage  of  a  whirlwind. 
Urged  by  the  different  motives  of  filial  affection,  friendship,  and 
gratitude,  Heyward  and  his  companions  rushed  with  one  accord 
to  the  place,  encircling  the  little  canopy  of  dust  which  hung  above 
the  warriors.  In  vain  did  Uncas  dart  around  the  cloud,  with  a 
wish  to  strike  his  knife  into  the  heart  of  his  father's  foe;  the 
threatening  rifle  of  Hawkeye  was  raised  and  suspended  in  vain, 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

while  Duncan  endeavored  to  seize  the  limbs  of  the  Huron  with 
hands  that  appeared  to  have  lost  their  power.  Covered,  as  they 
were,  with  dust  and  blood,  the  swift  evolutions  of  the  combatants 
seemed  to  incorporate  their  bodies  into  one.  The  death-like  look 
ing  figure  of  the  Mohican,  and  the  dark  form  of  the  Huron, 
gleamed  before  their  eyes  in  such  quick  and  confused  succession, 
that  the  friends  of  the  former  knew  not  where  nor  when  to  plant 
the  succoring  blow.  It  is  true  there  were  short  and  fleeting  mo 
ments,  when  the  fiery  eyes  of  Magua  were  seen  glittering,  like  the 
fabled  organs  of  the  basilisk,  through  the  dusty  wreath  by  which 
he  was  enveloped,  and  he  read  by  those  short  and  deadly  glances 
the  fate  of  the  combat  in  the  presence  of  his  enemies;  ere,  how 
ever,  any  hostile  hand  could  descend  on  his  devoted  head,  its  place 
was  filled  by  the  scowling  visage  of  Chingachgook.  In  this  man 
ner  the  scene  of  the  combat  was  removed  from  the  centre  of  the 
little  plain  to  its  verge.  The  Mohican  now  found  an  opportunity 
to  make  a  powerful  thrust  with  his  knife;  Magua  suddenly  re 
linquished  his  grasp,  and  fell  backward  without  motion,  and  seem 
ingly  without  life.  His  adversary  leaped  on  his  feet,  making  the 
arches  of  the  forest  ring  with  the  sounds  of  triumph. 

"Well  done  for  the  Delawares!  victory  to  the  Mohican!"  cried 
Hawkeye,  once  more  elevating  the  butt  of  the  long  and  fatal  rifle ; 
"a  finishing  blow  from  a  man  without  a  cross  will  never  tell 
against  his  honor,  nor  rob  him  of  his  right  to  the  scalp." 

But,  at  the  very  moment  when  the  dangerous  weapon  was 
in  the  act  of  descending,  the  subtle  Huron  rolled  swiftly  from 
beneath  the  danger,  over  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  and  falling  on 
his  feet,  was  seen  leaping,  with  a  single  bound,  into  the  centre  of 
a  thicket  of  low  bushes,  which  clung  along  its  sides.  The  Dela 
wares,  who  had  believed  their  enemy  dead,  uttered  their  exclama 
tion  of  surprise,  and  were  following  with  speed  and  clamor,  like 
hounds  in  open  view  of  the  deer,  when  a  shrill  and  peculiar  cry 
from  the  scout  instantly  changed  their  purpose,  and  recalled  them 
to  the  summit  of  the  hill. 

'Twas  like  himself,"  cried  the  inveterate  forester,  whose 
prejudices  contributed  so  largely  to  veil  his  natural  sense  of  jus 
tice  in  all  matters  which  concerned  the  Mingos;  "a  lying  and  de 
ceitful  varlet  as  he  is.  An  honest  Delaware  now,  being  fairly  van 
quished,  would  have  lain  still,  and  been  knocked  on  the  head,  but 
these  knavish  Maquas  cling  to  life  like  so  many  cats-o'-the-moun- 
tain.  Let  him  go — let  him  go;  'tis  but  one  man,  and  he  without 


Copyright  by  Charles  Scribner's  Scr 


THE,  FIGHT  IN  THE  FOREST 

The  bailie  was  now  entirely  terminated,  nx'M  the  exception 
of  the  fsToiracted  struggle  between  Le  RenarJ  Subtil  and 
Le  GTOS  Serpent 


THE  FK;HT  IN  THE  i  OREST 

The  Bailie  a'as  nou  entirety  terminated.  n-i/A  (he  exception 
of  the  protracted  struggle  between  Le  Renard  Subtil  and 
Le  Gros  Serpent 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  115 

rifle  or  bow,  many  a  long  mile  from  his  French  commerades ;  and, 
like  a  rattler  that  has  lost  his  fangs,  he  can  do  no  further  mis 
chief,  until  such  time  as  he,  and  we  too,  may  leave  the  prints  of 
our  moccasins  over  a  long  reach  of  sandy  plain.  See,  Uncas,"  he 
added,  in  Delaware,  "your  father  is  flaying  the  scalps  already.  It 
may  be  well  to  go  round  and  feel  the  vagabonds  that  are  left,  or 
we  may  have  another  of  them  loping  through  the  woods,  and 
screeching  like  a  jay  that  has  been  winged." 

So  saying,  the  honest,  but  implacable  scout,  made  the  circuit 
of  the  dead,  into  whose  senseless  bosoms  he  thrust  his  long  knife, 
with  as  much  coolness  as  though  they  had  been  so  many  brute  car 
casses.  He  had,  however,  been  anticipated  by  the  elder  Mohican, 
who  had  already  torn  the  emblems  of  victory  from  the  unresisting 
heads  of  the  slain. 

But  Uncas,  denying  his  habits,  we  had  almost  said  his  nature, 
flew  with  instinctive  delicacy,  accompanied  by  Heyward,  to  the 
assistance  of  the  females,  and  quickly  releasing  Alice,  placed  her 
in  the  arms  of  Cora.  We  shall  not  attempt  to  describe  the  grati 
tude  to  the  Almighty  Disposer  of  events  which  glowed  in  the 
bosoms  of  the  sisters,  who  were  thus  unexpectedly  restored  to  life 
and  to  each  other.  Their  thanksgivings  were  deep  and  silent ;  the' 
offerings  of  their  gentle  spirits,  burning  brightest  and  purest  on 
the  secret  alt'ars  of  their  hearts;  and  their  renovated  and  more 
earthly  feelings  exhibiting  themselves  in  long  and  fervent,  though 
speechless  caresses.  As  Alice  rose  from  her  knees,  where  she  had 
sunk  by  the  side  of  Cora,  she  threw  herself  on  the  bosom  of  the 
latter;  and  sobbed  aloud  the  name  of  their  aged  father,  while  her 
soft,  dove-like  eyes  sparkled  with  the  rays  of  hope. 

"We  are  saved!  we  are  saved!"  she  murmured;  "to  return  to 
the  arms  of  our  dear,  dear  father,  and  his*  heart  will  not  be  broken 
with  grief.  And  you  too,  Cora,  my  sister;  my  more  than  sister, 
my  mother;  you  too  are  spared.  And  Duncan,"  she  added,  look 
ing  round  upon  the  youth  with  a  smile  of  ineffable  innocence, 
"even  our  own  brave  and  noble  Duncan  has  escaped  without  a 
hurt." 

To  these  ardent  and  nearly  incoherent  words  Cora  made  no 
.  other  answer  than  by  straining  the  youthful  speaker  to  her  heart, 
as  she  bent  over  her,  in  melting  tenderness.  The  manhood  of 
Heyward  felt  no  shame  in  dropping  tears  over  this  spectacle  of 
affectionate  rapture;  and  Uncas  stood,  fresh  and  blood-stained 
from  the  combat,  a  calm,  and,  apparently,  an  unmoved  looker-on, 


116  THE    LAST   OF    THE    MOHICANS 

it  is  true,  but  with  eyes  that  had  already  lost  their  fierceness,  and 
were  beaming  with  a  sympathy  that  elevated  him  far  above  the 
intelligence,  and  advanced  him  probably  centuries  before  the 
practices  of  his  nation. 

During  this  display  of  emotions  so  natural  in  their  situation, 
Hawkeye,  whose  vigilant  distrust  had  satisfied  itself  that  the 
Hurons,  who  disfigured  the  heavenly  scene,  no  longer  possessed 
the  power  to  interrupt  its  harmony,  approached  David,  and  lib 
erated  him  from  the  bonds  he  had,  until  that  moment,  endured 
with  the  most  exemplary  patience. 

"There,"  exclaimed  the  scout,  casting  the  last  withe  behind 
him,  "you  are  once  more  master  of  your  own  limbs,  though  you 
seem  not  to  use  them  with  greater  judgment  than  that  in  which 
they  were  first  fashioned.  If  advice  from  one  who  is  not  older 
than  yourself,  but  who  having  lived  most  of  his  time  in  the  wilder 
ness,  may  be  said  to  have  experience  beyond  his  years,  will  give 
no  offence,  you  are  welcome  to  my  thoughts;  and  these  are,  to 
part  with  the  little  tooting  instrument  in  your  jacket  to  the  first 
fool  you  meet  with,  and  buy  some  useful  we'pon  with  the  money, 
if  it  be  only  the  barrel  of  a  horseman's  pistol.  By  industry  and 
care,  you  might  thus  come  to  some  prefarment;  for  by  this  time, 
I  should  think,  your  eyes  would  plainly  tell  you  that  a  carrion 
crow  is  a  better  bird  than  a  mocking  thresher.  The  one  will, 
at  least,  remove  foul  sights  from  before  the  face  of  man,  while 
the  other  is  only  good  to  brew  disturbances  in  the  woods,  by  cheat 
ing  the  ears  of  all  that  hear  them." 

"Arms  and  the  clarion  for  the  battle,  but  the  song  of  thanks 
giving  to  the  victory!"  answered  the  liberated  David.  "Friend," 
he  added,  thrusting  forth  his  lean,  delicate  hand  towards  Hawk- 
eye,  in  kindness,  while  his  eyes  twinkled  and  grew  moist,  "I  thank 
thee  that  the  hairs  of  my  head  still  grow  where  they  were  first 
rooted  by  Providence;  for,  though  those  of  other  men  may  be 
more  glossy  and  curling,  I  have  ever  found  mine  own  well  suited 
to  the  brain  they  shelter.  That  I  did  not  join  myself  to  the  battle, 
was  less  owing  to  disinclination,  than  to  the  bonds  of  the  heathen. 
Valiant  and  skilful  hast  thou  proved  thyself  in  the  conflict,  and 
I  hereby  thank  thee,  before  proceeding  to  discharge  other  and 
more  important  duties,  because  thou  hast  proved  thyself  well 
worthy  of  a  Christian's  praise." 

"The  thing  is  but  a  trifle,  and  what  you  may  often  see,  if  you 
tarry  long  among  us,"  returned  the  scout,  a  good  deal  softened 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  117 

towards  the  man  of  song,  by  this  unequivocal  expression  of  grati 
tude.  "I  have  got  back  my  old  companion,  'Killdeer,'  "  he  added, 
striking  his  hand  on  the  breech  of  his  rifle;  "and  that  in  itself  is  a 
victory.  These  Iroquois  are  cunning,  but  they  outwitted  them 
selves  when  they  placed  their  fire-arms  out  of  reach;  and  had 
Uncas  or  his  father  been  gifted  with  only  their  common  Indian 
patience,  we  should  have  come  in  upon  the  knaves  with  three 
bullets  instead  of  one,  and  that  would  have  made  a  finish  of  the 
whole  pack;  yon  loping  varlet,  as  well  as  his  commerades.  But 
'twas  all  foreordered,  and  for  the  best." 

"Thou  sayest  well,"  returned  David,  "and  hast  caught  the 
true  spirit  of  Christianity.  He  that  is  to  be  saved  will  be  saved, 
and  he  that  is  predestined  to  be  damned  will  be  damned.  This  is 
the  doctrine  of  truth,  and  most  consoling  and  refreshing  it  is  to 
the  true  believer." 

The  scout,  who  by  this  time  was  seated,  examining  into  the 
state  of  his  rifle  with  a  species  of  parental  assiduity,  now  looked 
up  at  the  other  in  a  displeasure  that  he  did  not  affect  to  conceal, 
roughly  interrupting  further  speech. 

"Doctrine,  or  no  doctrine,"  said  the  sturdy  woodsman,  "  'tis 
the  belief  of  knaves,  and  the  curse  of  an  honest  man.  I  can  credit 
that  yonder  Huron  was  to  fall  by  my  hand,  for  with  my  own  eyes 
I  have  seen  it ;  but  nothing  short  of  being  a  witness  will  cause  me 
to  think  he  had  met  with  any  reward,  or  that  Chingachgook, 
there,  will  be  condemned  at  the  final  day." 

"You  have  no  warranty  for  such  an  audacious  doctrine,  nor 
any  covenant  to  support  it,"  cried  David,  who  was  deeply  tinc 
tured  with  the  subtle  distinctions  which,  in  his  time,  and  more 
especially  in  his  province,  had  been  drawn  around  the  beautiful 
simplicity  of  revelation,  by  endeavoring  to  penetrate  the  awful 
mystery  of  the  divine  nature,  supplying  faith  by  self-sufficiency, 
and  by  consequence,  involving  those  who  reasoned  from  such 
human  dogmas  in  absurdities  and  doubt;  "your  temple  is  reared 
on  the  sands,  and  the  first  tempest  will  wash  away  its  foundation. 
I  demand  your  authorities  for  such  an  uncharitable  assertion  (like 
other  advocates  of  a  system,  David  was  not  always  accurate  in 
his  use  of  terms) .  Name  chapter  and  verse;  in  which  of  the  holy 
books  do  you  find  language  to  support  you?" 

"Book!"  repeated  Hawkeye,  with  singular  and  ill-concealed 
disdain;  "do  you  take  me  for  a  whimpering  boy  at  the  apron- 
string  of  one  of  your  old  gals ;  and  this  good  rifle  on  my  knee  for 


118  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

the  feather  of  a  goose's  wing,  my  ox's  horn  for  a  bottle  of  ink,  and 
my  leathern  pouch  for  a  cross-barred  handkercher  to  carry  my 
dinner?  Book!  what  have  such  as  I,  who  am  a  warrior  of  the 
wilderness,  though  a  man  without  a  cross,  to  do  with  books?  I 
never  read  but  in  one,  and  the  words  that  are  written  there  are  too 
simple  and  too  plain  to  need  much  schooling;  though  I  may  boast 
that  of  forty  long  and  hard-working  years." 

"What  call  you  the  volume?"  said  David,  misconceiving  the 
other's  meaning. 

'Tis  open  before  your  eyes,"  returned  the  scout;  "and  he 
who  owns  it  is  not  a  niggard  of  its  use.  I  have  heard  it  said  that 
there  are  men  who  read  in  books  to  convince  themselves  there  is 
a  God.  I  know  not  but  man  may  so  deform  his  works  in  the 
settlement,  as  to  leave  that  which  is  so  clear  in  the  wilderness  a 
matter  of  doubt  among  traders  and  priests.  If  any  such  there 
be,  and  he  will  follow  me  from  sun  to  sun,  through  the  windings 
of  the  forest,  he  shall  see  enough  to  teach  him  that  he  is  a  fool, 
and  that  the  greatest  of  his  folly  lies  in  striving  to  rise  to  the 
level  of  One  he  can  never  equal,  be  it  in  goodness,  or  be  it  in 
power." 

The  instant  David  discovered  that  he  battled  with  a  disputant 
who  imbibed  his  faith  from  the  lights  of  nature,  eschewing  all 
subtleties  of  doctrine,  he  willingly  abandoned  a  controversy  from 
which  he  believed  neither  profit  nor  credit  was  to  be  derived. 
While  the  scout  was  speaking,  he  had  also  seated  himself,  and 
producing  the  ready  little  volume  and  the  iron-rimmed  spectacles, 
he  prepared  to  discharge  a  duty,  which  nothing  but  the  unex 
pected  assault  he  had  received  in  his  orthodoxy  could  have  so  long 
suspended.  He  was,  in  truth,  a  minstrel  of  the  western  continent 
—of  a  much  later  day,  certainly,  than  those  gifted  bards,  who 
formerly -sang  the  profane  renown  of  baron  and  prince,  but  after 
the  spirit  of  his  own  age  and  country;  and  he  was  now  prepared 
to  exercise  the  cunning  of  his  craft,  in  celebration  of,  or  rather  in 
thanksgiving  for,  the  recent  victory.  He  waited  patiently  for 
Hawkeye  to  cease,  then  lifting  his  eyes,  together  with  his  voice, 
he  said,  aloud, — 

"I  invite  you,  friends,  to  join  in  praise  for  this  signal  deliver 
ance  from  the  hands  of  barbarians  and  infidels,  to  the  comfortable 
and  solemn  tones  of  the  tune,  called  'Northampton.'  ' 

He  next  named  the  page  and  verse  where  the  rhymes  selected 
were  to  be  found,  and  applied  the  pitch-pipe  to  his  lips,  with  the 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  119 

decent  gravity  that  he  had  been  wont  to  use  in  the  temple.  This 
time  he  was,  however,  withput  any  accompaniment,  for  the  sisters 
were  just  then  pouring  out  those  tender  effusions  of  affection 
which  have  been  already  alluded  to.  Nothing  deterred  by  the 
smallness  of  his  audience,  which,  in  truth,  consisted  only  of  the 
discontented  scout,  he  raised  his  voice,  commencing  and  ending 
the  sacred  song  without  accident  or  interruption  of  any  kind. 

Hawkeye  listened,  while  he  coolly  adjusted  his  flint  and  re 
loaded  his  rifle ;  but  the  sounds,  wanting  the  extraneous  assistance 
of  scene  and  sympathy,  failed  to  awaken  his  slumbering  emotions. 
Never  minstrel,  or  by  whatever  more  suitable  name  David  should 
be  known,  drew  upon  his  talents  in  the  presence  of  more  insensible 
auditors;  though  considering  the  singleness  and  sincerity  of  his 
motive,  it  is  probable  that  no  bard  of  profane  song  ever  uttered 
notes  that  ascended  so  near  to  that  throne  where  all  homage  and 
praise  is  due.  The  scout  shook  his  head,  and  muttering  some 
unintelligible  words,  among  which  "throat"  and  "Iroquois,"  were 
alone  audible,  he  walked  away,  to  collect,  and  to  examine  into, 
the  state  of  the  captured  arsenal  of  the  Hurons.  In  this  office  he 
was  now  joined  by  Chingachgook,  who  found  his  own,  as  well  as 
the  rifle  of  his  son,  among  the  arms.  Even  Heyward  and  David 
were  furnished  with  weapons;  nor  was  ammunition  wanting  to 
render  them  all  effectual. 

When  the  foresters  had  made  their  selection,  and  distributed 
their  prizes,  the  scout  announced  that  the  hour  had  arrived  when  it 
was  necessary  to  move.  By  this  time  the  song  of  Gamut  had 
ceased,  and  the  sisters  had  learned  to  still  the  exhibition  of  their 
emotions.  Aided  by  Duncan  and  the  younger  Mohican,  the  two 
latter  descended  the  precipitous  sides  of  that  hill  which  they  had 
so  lately  ascended  under  so  very  different  auspices,  and  whose 
summit  had  so  nearly  proved  the  scene  of  their  massacre.-  At  the 
foot,  they  found  the  Narragansetts  browsing  the  herbage  of  the 
bushes;  and  having  mounted,  they  followed  the  movements  of  a 
guide,  who,  in  the  most  deadly  straits,  had  so  often  proved  himself 
their  friend.  The  journey  was,  however,  short.  Hawkeye,  leav 
ing  the  blind  path  that  the  Hurons  had  followed,  turned  short  to 
his  right,  and  entering  the  thicket,  he  crossed  a  babbling  brook, 
and  halted  in  a  narrow  dell,  under  the  shade  of  a  few  water  elms. 
Their  distance  from  the  base  of  the  fatal  hill  was  but  a  few  rods, 
and  the  steeds  had  been  serviceable  only  in  crossing  the  shallow 
stream. 


120  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

The  scout  and  the  Indians  appeared  to  be  familiar  with  the 
sequestered  place  where  they  now  were;  for,  leaning  their  rifles 
against  the  trees,  they  commenced  throwing  aside  the  dried  leaves, 
and  opening  the  blue  clay,  out  of  which  a  clear  and  sparkling 
spring  of  bright,  glancing  water,  quickly  bubbled.  The  white 
man  then  looked  about  him,  as  though  seeking  for  some  object, 
which  was  not  to  be  found  as  readily  as  he  expected: — 

"Them  careless  imps,  the  Mohawks,  with  their  Tuscarora  and 
Onondaga  brethren,  have  been  here  slaking  their  thirst,"  he  mut 
tered,  "and  the  vagabonds  have  thrown  away  the  gourd!  This  is 
the  way  with  benefits,  when  they  are  bestowed  on  such  disremem- 
bering  hounds !  Here  has  the  Lord  laid  his  hand,  in  the  midst  of 
the  howling  wilderness,  for  their  good,  and  raised  a  fountain  of 
water  from  the  bowels  of  the  'arth,  that  might  laugh  at  the  richest 
shop  of  apothecary's  ware  in  all  the  colonies ;  and  see !  the  knaves 
have  trodden  in  the  clay,  and  deformed  the  cleanliness  of  the 
place,  as  though  they  were  brute  beasts,  instead  of  human 
men." 

Uncas  silently  extended  towards  him  the  desired  gourd,  which 
the  spleen  of  Hawkeye  had  hitherto  prevented  him  from  observ 
ing,  on  a  branch  of  an  elm.  Filling  it  with  water,  he  retired  a 
short  distance,  to  a  place  where  the  ground  was  more  firm  and 
dry;  here  he  coolly  seated  himself,  and  after  taking  a  long,  and, 
apparently,  a  grateful  draught,  he  commenced  a  very  strict  ex 
amination  of  the  fragments  of  food  left  by  the  Hurons,  which  had 
hung  in  a  wallet  on  his  arm. 

"Thank  you,  lad!"  he  continued,  returning  the  empty  gourd 
to  Uncas;  "now  we  will  see  how  these  rampaging  Hurons  lived, 
when  outlying  in  ambushments.  Look  at  this !  The  varlets  know 
the  better  pieces  of  the  deer;  and  one  would  think  they  might 
carve  and  roast  a  saddle,  equal  to  the  best 'cook  in  the  land!  But 
everything  is  raw,  for  the  Iroquois  are  thorough  savages.  Uncas, 
take  my  steel,  and  kindle  a  fire ;  a  mouthful  of  a  tender  broil  will 
give  natur'  a  helping  hand,  after  so  long  a  trail." 

Heyward,  perceiving  that  their  guides  now  set  about  their 
repast  in  sober  earnest,  assisted  the  ladies  to  alight,  and  placed 
himself  at  their  side,  not  unwilling  to  enjoy  a  few  moments  of 
grateful  rest,  after  the  bloody  scene  he  had  just  gone  through. 
While  the  culinary  process  was  in  hand,  curiosity  induced  him  to 
inquire  into  the  circumstances  which  had  led  to  their  timely  and 
unexpected  rescue: — 


Copyright  by  Cliar/es  Scribner't  Sons 


DAVID  GAMUT 

Neoer  minstrel,  or  4j/  irhateoer  more  suitable  name  DaoiJ 
should  be  knotrn,  Jreul  upon  his  talents  in  the  presence  of 
more  insensible  auditors 


DAVID    GAMUT 

\eier  minstrel,  or  hi/  u'halei'cr  more  su:Ui!<L>  name  D<niJ 
should  be  hnnu'n,  Jrru:  upon  /u\  (,j/,-f./s  /n  the  presence  or' 
more  insensible  auditors 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  121 

"How  is  it  that  we  see  you  so  soon,  my  generous  friend,"  he 
asked,  "and  without  aid  from  the  garrison  of  Edward?" 

"Had  we  gone  to  the  bend  in  the  river,  we  might  have  been 
in  time  to  rake  the  leaves  over  your  bodies,  but  too  late  to  have 
saved  your  scalps,"  coolly  answered  the  scout.  "No,  no;  instead 
of  throwing  away  strength  and  opportunity  by  crossing  to  the 
fort,  we  lay  by,  under  the  bank  of  the  Hudson,  waiting  to  watch 
the  movements  of  the  Hurons." 

"You  were,  then,  witnesses  of  all  that  passed?" 

"Not  of  all;  for  Indian  sight  is  too  keen  to  be  easily  cheated, 
and  we  kept  close.  A  difficult  matter  it  was,  too,  to  keep  this 
Mohican  boy  snug  in  the  ambushment.  Ah !  Uncas,  Uncas,  your 
behavior  was  more  like  that  of  a  curious  woman  than  of  a  warrior 
on  his  scent." 

Uncas  permitted  his  eyes  to  turn  for  an  instant  on  the  sturdy 
countenance  of  the  speaker,  but  he  neither  spoke  nor  gave  any 
indication  of  repentance.  On  the  contrary,  Heyward  thought  the 
manner  of  the  young  Mohican  was  disdainful,  if  not  a  little  fierce, 
and  that  he  suppressed  passions  that  were  ready  to  explode,  as 
much  in  compliment  to  the  listeners,  as  from  the  deference  he 
usually  paid  to  his  white  associate. 

"You  saw  our  capture?"  Heyward  next  demanded. 

"We  heard  it,"  was  the  significant  answer.  "An  Indian  yell 
is  plain  language  to  men  who  have  passed  their  days  in  the  woods. 
But  when  you  landed,  we  were  driven  to  crawl,  like  sarpents,  be 
neath  the  leaves ;  and  then  we  lost  sight  of  you  entirely,  until  we 
placed  eyes  on  you  again,  trussed  to  the  trees,  and  ready  bound 
for  an  Indian  massacre." 

"Our  rescue  was  the  deed  of  Providence.  It  was  nearly  a 
miracle  that  you  did  not  mistake  the  path,  for  the  Hurons  divided, 
and  each  band  had  its  horses." 

"Ay!  there  we  were  thrown  off  the  scent,  and  might,  indeed, 
have  lost  the  trail,  had  it  not  been  for  Uncas;  we  took  the  path, 
however,  that  led  into  the  wilderness;  for  we  judged,  and  judged 
rightly,  that  the  savages  would  hold  that  course  with  their  pris 
oners.  But  when  we  had  followed  it  for  many  miles,  without  find 
ing  a  single  twig  broken,  as  I  had  advised,  my  mind  misgave  me; 
especially  as  all  the  footsteps  had  the  prints  of  moccasins." 

"Our  captors  had  the  precaution  to  see  us  shod  like  them 
selves,"  said  Duncan,  raising  a  foot,  and  exhibiting  the  buckskin 
he  wore. 


122  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Ay,  'twas  judgmatical,  and  like  themselves;  though  we 
were  too  expart  to  be  thrown  from  a  trail  by  so  common  an 
invention." 

"To  what,  then,  are  we  indebted  for  our  safety?" 

"To  what,  as  a  white  man  who  has  no  taint  of  Indian  blood, 
I  should  be  ashamed  to  own;  to  the  judgment  of  the  young 
Mohican,  in  matters  which  I  should  know  better  than  he,  but 
which  I  can  now  hardly  believe  to  be  true,  though  my  own  eyes 
tell  me  it  is  so." 

'Tis  extraordinary!  will  you  not  name  the  reason?" 

"Uncas  was  bold  enough  to  say,  that  the  beasts  ridden  by  the 
gentle  ones,"  continued  Hawkeye,  glancing  his  eyes,  not  without 
curious  interest,  on  the  fillies  of  the  ladies,  "planted  the  legs  of 
one  side  on  the  ground  at  the  same  time,  which  is  contrary  to  the 
movements  of  all  trotting  four-footed  animals  of  my  knowledge, 
except  the  bear.  Arid  yet  here  are  horses  that  always  journey  in 
this  manner,  as  my  own  eyes  have  seen,  and  as  their  trail  has 
shown  for  twenty  long  miles." 

1  'Tis  the  merit  of  the  animal!  They  come  from  the  shores  of 
Narragansett  Bay,  in  the  small  province  of  Providence  Planta 
tions,  and  are  celebrated  for  their  hardihood,  and  the  ease  of  this 
peculiar  movement;  though  other  horses  are  not  unfrequently 
trained  to  the  same." 

"It  may  be — it  may  be,"  said  Hawkeye,  who  had  listened  with 
singular  attention  to  this  explanation;  "though  I  am  a  man  who 
has  the  full  blood  of  the  whites,  my  judgment  in  deer  and  beaver 
is  greater  than  in  beasts  of  burden.  Major  Efringham  has  many 
noble  chargers,  but  I  have  never  seen  one  travel  after  such  a 
sideling  gait." 

"True;  for  he  would  value  the  animals  for  very  different 
properties.  Still  is  this  a  breed  highly  esteemed,  and  as  you  wit 
ness,  much  honored  with  the  burdens  it  is  often  destined  to 
bear." 

The  Mohicans  had  suspended  their  operations  about  the  glim 
mering  fire,  to  listen;  and  when  Duncan  had  done,  they  looked 
at  each  other  significantly,  the  father  uttering  the  never-failing 
exclamation  of  surprise.  The  scout  ruminated,  like  a  man  digest 
ing  his  newly  acquired  knowledge,  and  once  more  stole  a  curious 
glance  at  the  horses. 

"I  dare  to  say  there  are  even  stranger  sights  to  be  seen  in 
the  settlements!"  he  said,  at  length;  "natur'  is  sadly  abused  by 


THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS  123 

man,  when  he  once  gets  the  mastery.  But,  go  sideling  or  go 
straight,  Uncas  had  seen  the  movement,  and  their  trail  led  us  on 
to  the  broken  bush.  The  outer  branch,  near  the  prints  of  one  of 
the  horses,  was  bent  upward,  as  a  lady  breaks  a  flower  from  its 
stem,  but  all  the  rest  were  ragged  and  broken  down,  as  if  the 
strong  hand  of  a  man  had  been  tearing  them!  So  I  concluded 
that  the  cunning  varmints  had  seen  the  twig  bent,  and  had  torn 
the  rest,  to  make  us  believe  a  buck  had  been  feeling  the  boughs 
with  his  antlers." 

"I  do  believe  your  sagacity  did  not  deceive  you;  for  some  such 
thing  occurred!" 

"That  was  easy  to  see,"  added  the  scout,  in  no  degree  conscious 
of  having  exhibited  any  extraordinary  sagacity;  "and  a  very  dif 
ferent  matter  it  was  from  a  waddling  horse!  It  then  struck  me 
the  Mingos  would  push  for  this  spring,  for  the  knaves  well  know 
the  vartue  of  its  waters!" 

"Is  it,  then,  so  famous?"  demanded  Hey  ward,  examining, 
with  a  more  curious  eye,  the  secluded  dell,  with  its  bubbling  foun 
tain,  surrounded,  as  it  was,  by  earth  of  a  deep  dingy  brown. 

"Few  redskins,  who  travel  south  and  east  of  the  great  lakes, 
but  have  heard  of  its  qualities.  Will  you  taste  for  yourself?" 

Heyward  took  the  gourd,  and  after  swallowing  a  little  of  the 
water,  threw  it  aside  with  grimaces  of  discontent.  The  scout 
laughed  in  his  silent,  but  heartfelt  manner,  and  shook  his  head 
with  vast  satisfaction. 

"Ah!  you  want  the  flavor  that  one  gets  by  habit;  the  time  was 
when  I  liked  it  as  little  as  yourself ;  but  I  have  come  to  my  taste, 
and  I  now  crave  it,  as  a  deer  does  the  licks.1  Your  high  spiced 
wines  are  not  better  liked  than  a  redskin  relishes,  this  water; 
especially  when  his  natur'  is  ailing.  But  Uncas  has  made  his  fire, 
and  it  is  time  we  think  of  eating,  for  our  journey  is  long,  and  all 
before  us." 

Interrupting  the  dialogue  by  this  abrupt  transition,  the  scout 
had  instant  recourse  to  the  fragments  of  food  which  had  escaped 
the  voracity  of  the  Hurons.  A  yeiy  summary  process  completed 
the  simple  cookery,  when  he  and  the  Mohicans  commenced  their 
humble  meal,  with  the  silence  and  characteristic  diligence  of  men 

i  Many  of  the  animals  of  the  American  forests  resort  to  those  spots  where  salt  springs 
are  found.  These  are  called  "licks"  or  "salt  licks,"  in  the  language  of  the  country,  from 
the  circumstance  that  the  quadruped  is  often  obliged  to  lick  the  earth,  in  order  to  obtain 
the  saline  particles.  These  licks  are  great  places  of  resort  with  the  hunters,  who  waylay 
their  game  near  the  paths  that  lead  to  them. 


124  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

who  ate  in  order  to  enable  themselves  to  endure  great  and  unre 
mitting  toil. 

When  this  necessary,  and,  happily,  grateful  duty  had  been 
performed,  each  of  the  foresters  stooped  and  took  a  long  and 
parting  draught  at  that  solitary  and  silent  spring,1  around  which 
and  its  sister  fountains,  within  fifty  years,  the  wealth,  beauty,  and 
talents  of  a  hemisphere  were  to  assemble  in  throngs,  in  pursuit  of 
health  and  pleasure.  Then  Hawkeye  announced  his  determina 
tion  to  proceed.  The  sisters  resumed  their  saddles ;  Duncan  and 
David  grasped  their  rifles,  and  followed  on  their  footsteps;  the 
scout  leading  the  advance,  and  the  Mohicans  bringing  up  the  rear. 
The  whole  party  moved  swiftly  through  the  narrow  path,  towards 
the  north,  leaving  the  healing  Avaters  to  mingle  unheeded  with  the 
adjacent  brook,  and  the  bodies  of  the  dead  to  fester  on  the  neigh 
boring  mount,  without  the  rites  of  sepulture ;  a  fate  but  too  com 
mon  to  the  warriors  of  the  woods  to  excite  either  commiseration 
or  comment. 

i  The  scene  of  the  foregoing  incidents  is  on  the  spot  where  the  village  of  Ballston  now 
stands;  one  of  the  two  principal  watering-places  of  America. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

"I'll  seek  a  readier  path." 


THE  route  taken  by  Hawkeye  lay  across  those  sandy  plains,  re 
lieved  by  occasional  valleys  and  swells  of  land,  which  had  been 
traversed  by  their  party  on  the  morning  of  the  same  day,  with  the 
baffled  Magua  for  their  guide.  The  sun  had  now  fallen  low 
towards  the  distant  mountains;  and  as  their  journey  lay  through 
the  interminable  forest,  the  heat  was  no  longer  oppressive.  Their 
progress,  in  consequence,  was  proportionate;  and  long  before  the 
twilight  gathered  about  them,  they  had  made  good  many  toilsome 
miles  on  their  return. 

The  hunter,  like  the  savage  whose  place  he  filled,  seemed  to 
select  among  the  blind  signs  of  their  wild  route,  with  a  species  of 
instinct,  seldom  abating  his  speed,  and  never  pausing  to  deliber 
ate.  A  rapid  and  oblique  glance  at  the  moss  on  the  trees,  with  an 
occasional  upward  gaze  towards  the  setting  sun,  or  a  steady  but 
passing  look  at  the  direction  of  the  numerous  watercourses, 
through  which  he  waded,  were  sufficient  to  determine  his  path, 
and  remove  his  greatest  difficulties.  In  the  meantime,  the  forest 
began  to  change  its  hues,  losing  that  lively  green  which  had  em 
bellished  its  arches,  in  the  graver  light  which  is  the  usual  precursor 
of  the  close  of  day. 

While  the  eyes  of  the  sisters  were  endeavoring  to  catch 
glimpses  through  the  trees,  of  the  flood  of  golden  glory  which 
formed  a  glittering  halo  around  the  sun,  tinging  here  and  there 
with  ruby  streaks,  or  bordering  with  narrow  edgings  of  shining 
yellow,  a  mass  of  clouds  that  lay  piled  at  no  great  distance  above 
the  western  hills,  Hawkeye  turned  suddenly,  and,  pointing  up 
wards  towards  the  gorgeous  heavens,  he  spoke:  — 

"Yonder  is  the  signal  given  to  a  man  to  seek  his  food  and 
natural  rest,"  he  said:  "better  and  wiser  would  it  be,  if  he  could 
understand  the  signs  of  nature,  and  take  a  lesson  from  the  fowls 
of  the  air  and  the  beasts  of  the  fields!  Our  night,  however,  will 
soon  be  over;  for,  with  the  moon,  we  must  be  up  and  moving 

125 


126  THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS 

again.  I  remember  to  have  fou't  the  Maquas,  hereaways,  in  the 
first  war  in  which  I  ever  drew  blood  from  man ;  and  we  threw  up 
a  work  of  blocks,  to  keep  the  ravenous  varmints  from  handling 
our  scalps.  If  my  marks  do  not  fail  me,  we  shall  find  the  place 
a  few  rods  farther  to  our  left." 

Without  waiting  for  an  assent,  or,  indeed,  for  any  reply,  the 
sturdy  hunter  moved  boldly  into  a  dense  thicket  of  young  chest 
nuts,  shoving  aside  the  branches  of  the  exuberant  shoots  which 
nearly  covered  the  ground,  like  a  man  who  expected,  at  each  step, 
to  discover  some  object  he  had  formerly  known.  The  recollection 
of  the  scout  did  not  deceive  him.  After  penetrating  through  the 
brush,  matted  as  it  was  with  briers,  for  a  few  hundred  feet  he 
entered  an  open  space,  that  surrounded^,  low,  green  hillock,  which 
was  crowned  by  the  decayed  block-house  in  question.  This  rude 
and  neglected  building  was  one  of  those  deserted  works,  which, 
having  been  thrown  up  on  an  emergency,  had  been  abandoned 
with  the  disappearance  of  danger,  and  was  now  quietly  crumbling 
in  the  solitude  of  the  forest,  neglected,  and  nearly  forgotten,  like 
the  circumstances  which  had  caused  it  to  be  reared.  Such  memo 
rials  of  the  passage  and  struggles  of  man  are  yet  frequent 
throughout  the  broad  barrier  of  wilderness  which  once  separated 
the  hostile  provinces,  and  form  a  species  of  ruins  that  are  inti 
mately  associated  with  the  recollections  of  colonial  history,  and 
which  are  in  appropriate  keeping  with  the  gloomy  character  of  the 
surrounding  scenery.1  The  roof  of  bark  had  long  since  fallen, 
and  mingled  with  the  soil;  but  the  huge  logs  of  pine,  which  had 
been  hastily  thrown  together,  still  preserved  their  relative  posi 
tions,  though  one  angle  of  the  work  had  given  way  under  the 
pressure,  and  threatened  a  speedy  downfall  to  the  remainder  of 
the  rustic  edifice.  While  Heyward  and  his  companions  hesitated 
to  approach  a  building  so  decayed,  Hawkeye  and  the  Indians 
entered  within  the  low  walls,  not  only  without  fear,  but  with  obvi- 

i  Some  years  since,  the  writer  was  shooting  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ruins  of  Fort  Oswego, 
which  ^tands  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Ontario.  His  game  was  deer,  and  his  chase  a  forest 
that  stretched  with  little  interruption,  fifty  miles  inland.  Unexpectedly  he  came  upon 
six  or  eight  ladders  lying  in  the  woods  within  a  short  distance  of  each  other.  They  were 
rudely  made,  and  much  decayed.  Wondering  what  could  have  assembled  so  many  of 
these  instruments  in  such  a  place,  he  sought  an  old  man  who  resided  near  for  the  ex 
planation. 

During  the  war  of  1776  Fort  Oswego  was  held  by  the  British.  An  expedition  had 
been  sent  two  hundred  miles  through  the  wilderness  to  surprise  the  fort.  It  appears 
that  the  Americans,  on  reaching  the  spot  named,  which  was  within  a  mile  or  two  of  the 
fort,  first  learned  that  they  were  expected,  and  in  great  danger  of  being  cut  off.  They 
threw  away  their  scaling-ladders,  and  made  a  rapid  retreat.  These  ladders  had  lain 
unmolested  thirty  years,  in  the  spot  where  they  had  thus  been  cast. 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  127 

ous  interest.  While  the  former  surveyed  the  ruins,  both  inter 
nally  and  externally,  with  the  curiosity  of  one  whose  recollections 
were  reviving  at  each  moment,  Chingachgook  related  to  his  son,  in 
the  language  of  the  Delawares,  and  with  the  pride  of  a  conqueror, 
the  brief  history  of  the  skirmish  which  had  been  fought,  in  his 
youth,  in  that  secluded  spot.  A  strain  of  melancholy,  however, 
blended  with  his  triumph,  rendering  his  voice,  as  usual,  soft  and 
musical. 

In  the  meantime,  the  sisters  gladly  dismounted,  and  prepared 
to  enjoy  their  halt  in  the  coolness  of  the  evening,  and  in  a  security 
which  they  believed  nothing  but  the  beasts  of  the  forest  could 
invade. 

"Would  not  our  resting-place  have  been  more  retired,  my 
worthy  friend,"  demanded  the  more  vigilant  Duncan,  perceiving 
that  the  scout  had  already  finished  his  short  survey,  "had  we 
chosen  a  spot  less  known,  and  one  more  rarely  visited  than  this?" 

"Few  h've  who  know  the  block-house  was  ever  raised,"  was  the 
slow  and  musing  answer;  "  'tis  not  often  that  books  are  made, 
and  narratives  written,  of  such  a  scrimmage  as  was  here  fou't 
atween  the  Mohicans  and  the  Mohawks,  in  a  war  of  their  own 
waging.  I  was  then  a  younker,  and  went  out  with  the  Delawares, 
because  I  know'd  they  were  a  scandalized  and  wronged  race. 
Forty  days  and  forty  nights  did  the  imps  crave  our  blood  around 
this  pile  of  logs,  which  I  designed  and  partly  reared,  being,  as 
you'll  remember,  no  Indian  myself,  but  a  man  without  a  cross. 
The  Delawares  lent  themselves  to  the  work,  and  we  made  it  good, 
ten  to  twenty,  until  our  numbers  were  nearly  equal,  and  then  we 
sallied  out  upon  the  hounds,  and  not  a  man  of  them  ever  got  back 
to  tell  the  fate  of  his  party.  Yes,  yes;  I  was  then  young,  and 
new  to  the  sight  of  blood;  and  not  relishing  the  thought  that 
creatures  who  had  spirits  like  mjrself  should  lay  on  the  naked 
ground,  to  be  torn  asunder  by  beasts,-  or  to  bleach  in  the  rains,  I 
buried  the  dead  with  my  own  hands,  under  that  very  little  hillock 
where  you  have  placed  yourselves ;  and  no  bad  seat  does  it  make 
neither,  though  it  be  raised  by  the  bones  of  mortal  men." 

Heyward  and  the  sisters  arose,  on  the  instant,  from  the  grassy 
sepulchre;  nor  could  the  two  latter,  notwithstanding  the  terrific 
scenes  they  had  so  recently  passed  through,  entirely  suppress  an 
emotion  of  natural  horror,  when  they  found  themselves  in  such 
familiar  contact  with  the  grave  of  the  dead  Mohawks.  The  gray 
light,  the  gloomy  little  area  of  dark  grass,  surrounded  by  its 


128  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

border  of  brush,  beyond  which  the  pines  rose,  in  breathing  silence, 
apparently,  into  the  very  clouds,  and  the  deathlike  stillness  of  the 
vast  forest,  were  all  in  unison  to  deepen  such  a  sensation. 

"They  are  gone,  and  they  are  harmless,"  continued  Hawkeye, 
waving  his  hand,  with  a  melancholy  smile,  at  their  manifest  alarm: 
"they'll  never  shout  the  war-whoop  nor  strike  a  blow  with  the 
tomahawk  again!  And  of  all  those  who  aided  in  placing  them 
where  they  he,  Chingachgook  and  I  only  are  living  I  The  brothers 
and  family  of  the  Mohican  formed  our  war-party;  and  you  see 
before  you  all  that  are  now  left  of  his  race." 

The  eyes  of  the  listeners  involuntarily  sought  the  forms  of 
the  Indians,  with  a  compassionate  interest  in  their  desolate  for 
tune.  The  dark  persons  were  still  to  be  seen  within  the  shadows 
of  the  block-house,  the  son  listening  to  the  relation  of  his  father 
with  that  sort  of  intenseiiess  which  would  be  created  by  a  narra 
tive  that  redounded  so  much  to  the  honor  of  those  whose  names 
he  had  long  revered  for  their  courage  and  savage  virtues. 

"I  had  thought  the  Delawares  a  pacific  people,"  said  Duncan, 
"and  that  they  never  waged,  war  in  person ;  trusting  the  defence 
of  their  lands  to  those  very  Mohawks  that  you  slewl" 

'Tis  true  in  part,"  returned  the  scout,  "and  yet,  at  the  bot 
tom,  'tis  a  wicked  lie.  Such  a  treaty  was  made  in  ages  gone  by, 
through  the  deviltries  of  the  Dutchers,  who  wished  to  disarm  the 
natives  that  had  the  best  right  to  the  country  where  they  had 
settled  themselves.  The  Mohicans,  though  a  part  of  the  same 
nation,  having  to  deal  with  the  English,  never  entered  into  the 
silly  bargain,  but  kept  to  their  manhood ;  as  in  truth  did  the  Dela 
wares,  when  their  eyes  were  opened  to  their  folly.  You  see  before 
you  a  chief  of  the  great  Mohican  Sagamores!  Once  his  family 
could  chase  their  deer  over  tracts  of  country  wider  than  that  which 
belongs  to  the  Albany  Patteroon,  without  crossing  brook  or  hill 
that  was  not  their  own ;  but  what  is  left  to  their  descendant  1  He 
may  find  his  six  feet  of  earth  when  God  chooses,  and  keep  it  in 
peace,  perhaps,  if  he  has  a  friend  who  will  take  the  pains  to  sink 
his  head  so  low  that  the  ploughshares  cannot  reach  it!" 

"Enough!"  said  Heyward,  apprehensive  that  the  subject 
might  lead  to  a  discussion  that  would  interrupt  the  harmony  so 
necessary  to  the  preservation  of  his  fair  companions:  "we  have 
journeyed  far,  and  few  among  us  are  blessed  with  forms  like  that 
of  yours,  which  seems  to  know  neither  fatigue  nor  weakness." 

"The  sinews  and  bones  of  a  man  carry  me  through  it  all,"  said 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  129 

the  hunter,  surveying  his  muscular  limbs  with  a  simplicity  that 
betrayed  the  honest  pleasure  the  compliment  afforded  him:  "there 
are  larger  and  heavier  men  to  be  found  in  the  settlements,  but  you 
might  travel  many  days  in  a  city  before  you  could  meet  one  able 
to  walk  fifty  miles  without  stopping  to  take  breath,  or  who  has 
kept  the  hounds  within  hearing  during  a  chase  of  hours.  How 
ever,  as  flesh  and  blood  are  not  always  the  same,  it  is  quite  reason 
able  to  suppose  that  the  gentle  ones  are  willing  to  rest,  after  all 
they  have  seen  and  done  this  day.  Uncas,  clear  out  the  spring, 
while  your  father  and  I  make  a  cover  for  their  tender  heads  of 
these  chestnut  shoots,  and  a  bed  of  grass  'and  leaves." 

The  dialogue  ceased,  while  the  hunter  and  his  companions 
busied  themselves  in  preparations  -for  the  comfort  and  protection 
of  those  they  guided.  A  spring,  which  many  long  years  before 
had  induced  the  natives  to  select  the  place  for  their  temporary 
fortification,  was  soon  cleared  of  leaves,  and  a  fountain  of  crystal 
gushed  from  the  bed,  'diffusing  its  waters  over  the  verdant  hillock. 
A  corner  of  the  building  was  then  roofed  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
exclude  the  heavy  dew  of  the  climate,  and  piles  of  sweet  shrubs 
and  dried  leaves  were  laid  beneath  it  for  the  sisters  to  repose  on. 

While  the  diligent  woodsmen  were  employed  in  this  manner, 
Cora  and  Alice  partook  of  that  refreshment  which  duty  required 
much  more  than  inclination  prompted  them  to  accept.  They  then 
retired  within  the  walls,  and  first  offering  up  their  thanksgivings 
for  past  mercies,  and  petitioning  for  a  continuance  of  the  divine 
favor  throughout  the  coming  night,  they  laid  their  tender  forms 
on  the  fragrant  couch,  and  in  spite  of  recollections  and  fore 
bodings,  soon  sank  into  those  slumbers  which  nature  so  imperi 
ously  demanded,  and  which  were  sweetened  by  hopes  for  the 
morrow.  Duncan  had  prepared  himself  to  pass  the  night  in 
watchfulness  near  them,  just  without  the  ruin,  but  the  scout,  per 
ceiving  his  intention,  pointed  towards  Chingachgook,  as  he  coolly 
disposed  his  own  person  on  the  grass,  and  said — 

"The  eyes  of  a  white  man  are  too  heavy  and  too  blind  for  such 
a  watch  as  this !  The  Mohican  will  be  our  sentinel,  therefore  let 
us  sleep." 

"I  proved  myself  a  sluggard  on  my  post  during  the  past 
night,"  said  Heyward,  ".and  have  less  need  of  repose  than  you, 
who  did  more  credit  to  the  character  of  a  soldier.  Let  all  the 
party  seek  their  rest,  then,  while  I  hold  guard." 

"If  we  lay  among  the  white  tents  of  the  60th,  and  in  front 


130  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

of  an  enemy  like  the  French,  I  could  not  ask  for  a  better  watch 
man,"  returned  the  scout;  "but  in  the  darkness  and  among  the 
signs  of  the  wilderness  your  judgment  would  be  like  the  folly  of 
a  child,  and  your  vigilance  thrown  away.  Do  then,  like  Uncas 
and  myself,  sleep,  and  sleep  in  safety." 

Heyward  perceived,  in  truth,  that  the  younger  Indian  had 
thrown  his  form  on  the  side  of  the  hillock  while  they  were  talking, 
like  one  who  sought  to  make  the  most  of  the  time  allotted  to  rest, 
and  that  his  example  had  been  followed  by  David,  whose  voice 
literally  "clove  to  his  jaws,"  with  the  fever  of  his  wound,  height 
ened,  as  it  was,  by  their  toilsome  march.  Unwilling  to  prolong 
a  useless  discussion,  the  young  man  affected  to  comply,  by  post 
ing  his  back  against  the  logs  of  the  block-house,  in  a  half -recum 
bent  posture,  though  resolutely  determined,  in  his  own  mind,  not 
to  close  an  eye  until  he  had  delivered  his  precious  charge  into  the 
arms  of  Munro  himself.  Hawkeye,  believing  he  had  prevailed, 
soon  fell  asleep,  and  a  silence  as  deep  as  the  solitude  in  which  they 
had  found  it,  pervaded  the  retired  spot. 

For  many  minutes  Duncan  succeeded  in  keeping  his  senses 
on  the  alert,  and  alive  to  every  moaning  sound  that  arose  from  the 
forest.  His  vision  became  more  acute  as  the  shades  of  evening 
settled  on  the  place;  and  even  after  the  stars  were  glimmering 
above  his  head,  he  was  able  to  distinguish  the  recumbent  forms  of 
his  companions,  as  they  lay  stretched  on  the  grass,  and  to  note  the 
person  of  Chingachgook,  who  sat  upright  and  motionless  as  one 
of  the  trees  which  formed  the  dark  barrier  on  every  side.  He  still 
heard  the  gentle  breathings  of  the  sisters,  who  lay  within  a  few 
feet  of  him,  andjnot  a  leaf  was  ruffled  by  the  passing  air,  of  which 
his  ear  did  not  detect  the  whispering  sound.  At  length,  however, 
the  mournful  notes  of  a  whippoorwill  became  blended  with  the 
meanings  of  an  owl;  his  heavy  eyes  occasionally  sought  the  bright 
rays  of  the  stars,  and  then  he  fancied  he  saw  them  through  the 
fallen  lids.  At  instants  of  momentary  wakefulness  he  mistook  a 
bush  for  his  associate  sentinel;  his  head  next  sank  upon  his  shoul 
der,  which,  in  its  turn,  sought  the  support  of  the  ground;  and, 
finally,  his  whole  person  become  relaxed  and  pliant,  and  the  young 
man  sank  into  a  deep  sleep,  dreaming  that  he  was  a  knight  of 
ancient  chivalry,  holding  his  midnight  vigils  before  the  tent  of  a 
recaptured  princess,  whose  favor  he  did  not  despair  of  gaining, 
by  such  a  proof  of  devotion  and  watchfulness. 

How  long  the  tired  Duncan  lay  in  this  insensible  state  he 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  131 

never  knew  himself,  but  his  slumbering  visions  had  been  long 
lost  in  total  forgetfulness,  when  he  was  awakened  by  a  light  tap 
on  the  shoulder.  Aroused  by  this  signal,  slight  as  it  was,  he 
sprang  upon  his  feet  with  a  confused  recollection  of  the  self- 
imposed  duty  he  had  assumed  with  the  commencement  of  the 
night. 

"Who  comes?"  he  demanded,  feeling  for  his  sword  at  the 
place  where  it  was  usually  suspended.  "Speak!  friend  or 
enemy?" 

"Friend,"  replied  the  low  voice  of  Chingachgook ;  who,  point 
ing  upwards  at  the  luminary  which  was  shedding  its  mild  light 
through  the  opening  in  the  trees,  directly  in  their  bivouac,  immedi 
ately  added,  in  his  rude  English,  "moon  comes,  and  white  man's 
fort  far — far  off;  time  to  move,  when  sleep  shuts  both  eyes  of 
the  Frenchman!" 

"You  say  true!  call  up  your  friends,  and  bridle  the  horses, 
while  I  prepare  my  own  companions  for  the  march!" 

"We  are  awake,  Duncan,"  said  the  soft,  silvery  tones  of  Alice 
within  the  building,  "and  ready  to  travel  very  fast  after  so  re 
freshing  a  sleep ;  but  you  have  watched  through  the  tedious  night 
in  our  behalf,  after  having  endured  so  much  fatigue  the  live 
long  day!" 

"Say,  rather,  I  would  have  watched,  but  my  treacherous  eyes 
betrayed  me;  twice  have  I  proved  myself  unfit  for  the  trust 
I  bear." 

"Nay,  Duncan,  deny  it  not,"  interrupted  the  smiling  Alice, 
issuing  from  the  shadows  of  the  building  into  the  light  of  the 
moon,  in  all  the  loveliness  of  her  freshened  beauty;  "I  know  you 
to  be  a  heedless  one,  when  self  is  the  object  of  your  care,  and  but 
too  vigilant  in  favor  of  others.  Can  we  not  tarry  here  a  little 
longer,  while  you  find  the  rest  you  need?  Cheerfully,  most  cheer 
fully,  will  Cora  and  I  keep  the  vigils,  while  you,  and  all  these 
brave  men,  endeavor  to  snatch  a  little  sleep !" 

"If  shame  could  cure  me  of  my  drowsiness,  I  should  never 
close  an  eye  again,"  said  the  uneasy  youth,  gazing  at  the  ingenu 
ous  countenance  of  Alice,  where,  however,  in  its  sweet  solicitude, 
he  read  nothing  to  confirm  his  half  awakened  suspicion.  "It  is 
but  too  true,  that  after  leading  you  into  danger  by  my  heedless- 
ness,  I  have  not  even  the  merit  of  guarding  your  pillows  as  should 
become  a  soldier." 

"No  one  but  Duncan  himself  should  accuse  Duncan  of  such 


132  THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS 

a  weakness.    Go,  then,  and  sleep ;  believe  me,  neither  of  us,  weak 
girls  as  we  are,  will  betray  our  watch." 

The  young  man  was  relieved  from  the  awkwardness  of  making 
any  further  protestations  of  his  own  demerits,  by  an  exclamation 
from  Chingachgook,  and  the  attitude  of  riveted  attention  assumed 
by  his  son. 

"The  Mohicans  hear  an  enemy!"  whispered  Hawkeye,  who, 
by  this  time,  in  common  with  the  whole  party,  was  awake  and 
stirring.  "They  scent  danger  in  the  wind!" 

"God  forbid!"  exclaimed  Heyward.  "Surely  we  have  had 
enough  of  bloodshed!" 

While  he  spoke,  however,  the  young  soldier  seized  his  rifle, 
and  advancing  towards  the  front,  prepared  to  atone  for  his  venial 
remissness,  by  freely  exposing  his  life  in  defence  of  those  he 
attended. 

"Tis  some  creature  of  the  forest  prowling  around  us  in  quest 
of  food,"  he  said,  in  a  whisper,  as  soon  as  the  low,  and  apparently 
distant  sounds,  which  had  startled  the  Mohicans,  reached  his 
own  ears. 

"Histl"  returned  the  attentive  scout;  "  'tis  man;  even  I  can 
now  tell  his  tread,  poor  as  my  senses  are  when  compared  to  an 
Indian's!  That  scampering  Huron  has  fallen  in  with  one  of 
Montcalm's  outlying  parties,  and  they  have  struck  upon  our  trail. 
I  shouldn't  like,  myself,  to  spill  more  human  blood  in  this  spot," 
he  added,  looking  around  with  anxiety  in  his  features,  at  the  dim 
objects  by  which  he  was  surrounded;  "but  what  must  be,  must! 
Lead  the  horses  into  the  block-house,  Uncas ;  and,  friends,  do  you 
follow  to  the  same  shelter.  Poor  and  old  as  it  is,  it  offers  a  cover, 
and  has  rung  with  the  crack  of  a  rifle  afore  to-night!" 

He  was  instantly  obeyed,  the  Mohicans  leading  the  Narra- 
gansetts  within  the  ruin,  whither  the  whole  party  repaired  with 
the  most  guarded  silence. 

The  sounds  of  approaching  footsteps  were  now  too  distinctly 
audible  to  leave  any  doubts  as  to  the  nature  of  the  interruption. 
They  were  soon  mingled  with  voices  calling  to  each  other  in  an 
Indian  dialect,  which  the  hunter,  in  a  whisper,  affirmed  to  Hey 
ward  was  the  language  of  the  Hurons.  When  the  party  reached 
the  point  where  the  horses  had  entered  the  thicket  which  sur 
rounded  the  block-house,  they  were  evidently  at  fault,  having  lost 
those  marks  which,  until  that  moment,  had  directed  their  pursuit. 

It  would  seem  by  the  voices  that  twenty  men  were  soon  col- 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICAN'S  133 

lected  at  that  one  spot,  mingling  their  different  opinions  and 
advice  in  noisy  clamor. 

"The  knaves  know  our  weakness,"  whispered  Hawkeye,  who 
stood  by  the  side  of  Heyward,  in  deep  shade,  looking  through  an 
opening  in  the  logs,  "or  they  wouldn't  indulge  their  idleness  in 
such  a  squaw's  march.  Listen  to  the  reptiles!  each  man  among 
them  seems  to  have  two  tongues,  and  but  a  single  leg." 

Duncan,  brave  as  he  was  in  the  combat,  could  not,  in  such  -a 
moment  of  painful  suspense,  make  any  reply  to  the  cool  and  char 
acteristic  remark  of  the  scout.  He  only  grasped  his  rifle  more 
firmly,  and  fastened  his  eyes  upon  the  narrow  opening,  through 
which  he  gazed  upon  the  moonlight  view  with  increasing  anxiety. 
The  deeper  tones  of  one  who  spoke  as  having  authority  were  next 
heard,  amid  a  silence  that  denoted  the  respect  with  which  his 
orders,  or  rather  advice,  was  received.  After  which,  by  the 
rustling  of  leaves,  and  cracking  of  dried  twigs,  it  was  apparent 
the  savages  were  separating  in  pursuit  of  the  lost  trail.  For 
tunately  for  the  pursued,  the  light  of  the  moon,  while  it  shed  a 
flood  of  mild  lustre  upon  the  little  area  around  the  ruin,  was  not 
sufficiently  strong  to  penetrate  the  deep  arches  of  the  forest, 
where  the  objects  still  lay  in  deceptive  shadow.  The  search  proved 
fruitless;  for  so  short  and  sudden  had  been  the  passage  from  the 
faint  path  the  travellers  had  journeyed  into  the  thicket,  that 
every  trace  of  their  footsteps  was  lost  in  the  obscurity  of  the 
woods. 

It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  restless  savages  were 
heard  beating  the  brush,  and  gradually  approaching  the  inner 
edge  of  that  dense  border  of  young  chestnuts  which  encircled  the 
little  area. 

"They  are  coming,"  muttered  Heyward,  endeavoring  to  thrust 
his  rifle  through  the  chink  in  the  logs;  "let  us  fire  on  their 
approach." 

"Keep  everything  in  the  shade,"  returned  the  scout;  "the 
snapping  of  a  flint,  or  even  the  smell  of  a  single  karnel  of  the 
brimstone,  would  bring  the  hungry  varlets  upon  us  in  a  body. 
Should  it  please  God  that  we  must  give  battle  for  the  scalps,  trust 
to  the  experience  of  men  who  know  the  ways  of  the  savages,  and 
who  are  not  often  backward  when  the  war-whoop  is  howled." 

Duncan  cast  his  eyes  behind  him,  and  saw  that  the  trembling 
sisters  were  cowering  in  the  far  corner  of  the  building,  while  the 
Mohicans  stood  in  the  shadow,  like  two  upright  posts,  ready,  and 


134  THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS 

apparently  willing,  to  strike  when  the  blow  should  be  needed. 
Curbing  his  impatience,  he  again  looked  out  upon  the  area,  and 
awaited  the  result  in  silence.  At  that  instant  the  thicket  opened, 
and  a  tall  and  armed  Huron  advanced  a  few  paces  into  the  open 
space.  As  he  gazed  upon  the  silent  block-house,  the  moon  fell 
upon  his  swarthy  countenance,  and  betrayed  its  surprise  and  curi 
osity.  He  made  the  exclamation  which  usually  accompanies  the 
former  emotion  in  an  Indian,  and,  calling  in  a  low  voice,  soon 
drew  a  companion  to  his  side. 

These  children  of  the  woods  stood  together  for  several 
moments  pointing  at  the  crumbling  edifice,  and  conversing  in  the 
unintelligible  language  of  their  tribe.  They  then  approached, 
though  with  slow  and  cautious  steps,  pausing  every  instant  to 
look  at  the  building,  like  startled  deer,  whose  curiosity  struggled 
powerfully  with  their  awakened  apprehensions  for  the  mastery. 
The  foot  of  one  of  them  suddenly  rested  on  the  mound,  and  he 
stooped  to  examine  its  nature.  At  this  moment,  Heyward  ob 
served  that  the  scout  loosened  his  knife  in  his  sheath,  and  lowered 
the  muzzle  of  his  rifle.  Imitating  these  movements,  the  young 
man  prepared  himself  for  the  struggle,  which  now  seemed 
inevitable. 

The  savages  were  so  near,  that  the  least  motion  in  one  of  the 
horses,  or  even  a  breath  louder  than  common,  would  have  be 
trayed  the  fugitives.  But,  in  discovering  the  character  of  the 
mound,  the  attention  of  the  Hurons  appeared  directed  to  a  differ 
ent  object.  They  spoke  together,  and  the  sounds  of  their  voices 
were  low  and  solemn,  as  if  influenced  by  a  reverence  that  was 
deeply  blended  with  awe.  Then  they  drew  warily  back,  keeping 
their  eyes  riveted  on  the  ruin,  as  if  they  expected  to  see  the  appari 
tions  of  the  dead  issue  from  its  silent  walls,  until  having  reached 
the  boundary  of  the  area,  they  moved  slowly  into  the  thicket, 
and  disappeared. 

Hawkeye  dropped  the  breech  of  his  rifle  to  the  earth,  and 
'drawing  a  long,  free  breath,  exclaimed,  in  an  audible  whisper,— 

/'Ay!  they  respect  the  dead,  and  it  has  this  time  saved  their 
;own  lives,  and,  it  may  be,  the  lives  of  better  men  too." 

Heyward  lent  his  attention  for  a  single  moment  to  his  com 
panion,  but  without  replying,  he  again  turned  towards  those  who 
just  then  interested  him  more.  He  heard  the  two  Hurons  leave 
the  bushes,  and  it  was  soon  plain  that  all  the  pursuers  were  gath 
ered  about  them,  in  deep  attention  to  their  report.  After  a  few 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  135 

minutes  of  earnest  and  solemn  dialogue,  altogether  different  from 
the  noisy  clamor  with  which  they  had  first  collected  about  the 
spot,  the  sounds  grew  fainter  and  more  distant,  and  finally  were 
lost  in  the  depths  of  the  forest. 

Hawkeye  waited  until  a  signal  from  the  listening  Chingach- 
gook  assured  him  that  every  sound  from  the  retiring  party  was 
completely  swallowed  by  the  distance,  when  he  motioned  to  Hey- 
ward  to  lead  forth  the  horses,  and  to  assist  the  sisters  into  their 
saddles.  The  instant  this  was  done,  they  issued  through  the 
broken  gateway,  and  stealing  out  by  a  direction  opposite  to  the 
one  by  which  they  had  entered,  they  quitted  the  spot,  the  sisters 
casting  furtive  glances  at  the  silent  grave  and  crumbling  ruin,  as 
they  left  the  soft  light  of  the  moon,  to  bury  themselves  in  the 
gloom  of  the  woods. 


CHAPTER   XIV 

"Guard.— Qui  est  1&? 
Puc. — Paisans,  pauvres  gens  de  France." 

King  Henry  VI. 

DURING  the  rapid  movement  from  the  block-house,  and  until  the 
party  was  deeply  buried  in  the  forest,  each  individual  was  too 
much  interested  in  the  escape  to  hazard  a  word  even  in  whispers. 
The  scout  resumed  his  post  in  the  advance,  though  his  steps,  after 
he  had  thrown  a  safe  distance  between  himself  and  his  enemies, 
were  more  deliberate  than  in  their  previous  march,  in  consequence 
of  his  utter  ignorance  of  the  localities  of  the  surrounding  woods. 
More  than  once  he  halted  to  consult  with  his  confederates,  the 
Mohicans,  pointing  upwards  at  the  moon,  and  examining  the 
barks  of  the  trees  with  care.  In  these  brief  pauses,  Heyward  and 
the  sisters  listened,  with  senses  rendered  doubly  acute  by  the  dan 
ger,  to  detect  any  symptoms  which  might  announce  the  proximity 
of  their  foes.  At  such  moments,  it  seemed  as  if  a  vast  range  of 
country  lay  buried  in  eternal  sleep ;  not  the  least  sound  arising 
from  the  forest,  unless  it  was  the  distant  and  scarcely  audible 
rippling  of  a  water-course.  Birds,  beasts,  and  man,  appeared  to 
slumber  alike,  if,  indeed,  any  of  the  latter  were  to  be  found  in  that 
wide  tract  of  wilderness.  But  the  sounds  of  the  rivulet,  feeble 
and  murmuring  as  they  were,  relieved  the  guides  at  once  from  no 
trifling  embarrassment,  and  towards  it  they  immediately  held 
their  way. 

When  the  banks  of  the  little  stream  were  gained,  Hawkeye 
made  another  halt;  and,  taking  the  moccasins  from  his  feet,  he 
invited  Heyward  and  Gamut  to  follow  his  example.  He  then 
entered  the  water,  and  for  near  an  hour  they  travelled  in  the  bed 
of  the  brook,  leaving  no  trail.  The  moon  had  already  sunk  into 
an  immense  pile  of  black  clouds,  which  lay  impending  above  the 
western  horizon,  when  they  issued  from  the  low  and  devious  water 
course  to  rise  again  to  the  light  and  level  of  the  sandy  but  wooded 
plain.  Here  the  scout  seemed  to  be  once  more  at  home,  for  he 

136 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  137 

held  on  his  way  with  the  certainty  and  diligence  of  a  man  who 
moved  in  the  security  of  his  own  knowledge.  The  path  soon  be 
came  more  uneven,  and  the  travellers  could  plainly  perceive  that 
the  mountains  drew  nigher  to  them  on  each  hand,  and  that  th,?y 
were,  in  truth,  about  entering  one  of  their  gorges.  Suddenly, 
Hawkeye  made  a  pause,  and  waiting  until  he  was  joined  by  the 
whole  party,  he  spoke,  though  in  tones  so  low  and  cautious,  that 
they  added  to  the  solemnity  of  his  words,  in  the  quiet  and  dark 
ness  of  the  place. 

"It  is  easy  to  know  the  pathways,  and  to  find  the  licks  and 
water-courses  of  the  wilderness,"  he  said;  "but  who  that  saw  this 
spot  could  venture  to  say,  that  a  mighty  army  was  at  rest  among 
yonder  silent  trees  and  barren  mountains?" 

"We  are  then  at  no  great  distance  from  William  Henry?"  said 
Heyward,  advancing  nigher  to  the  scout. 

"It  is  yet  a  long  and  weary  path,  and  when  and  where  to 
strike  it,  is  now  our  greatest  difficulty.  See,"  he  said,  pointing 
through  +he  trees  towards  a  spot  where  a  little  basin  of  water 
reflected  the  stars  from  its  placid  bosom,  "here  is  the  'bloody 
pond' ;  and  I  am  on  the  ground  that  I  have  not  only  often  trav 
elled,  but  over  which  I  have  fou't  the  enemy,  from  the  rising  to 
the  setting  sun." 

"Ha!  that  sheet  of  dull  and  dreary  water,  then,  is  the  sepul 
chre  of  the  brave  men  who  fell  in  the  contest.  I  have  heard  it 
named,  but  never  have  I  stood  on  its  banks  before." 

"Three  battles  did  we  make  with  the  Dutch-Frenchman 1  in 
a  day,"  continued  Hawkeye,  pursuing  the  train  of  his  own 
thoughts,  rather  than  replying  to  the  remark  of  Duncan.  "He 
met  us  hard  by,  in  our  outward  march  to  ambush  his  advance, 
and  scattered  us,  like  driven  deer,  through  the  defile,  to  the  shores 
of  Horican.  Then  we  rallied  behind  our  fallen  trees,  and  made 
head  against  him,  under  Sir  William — who  was  made  Sir  William 
for  that  very  deed;  and  well  did  we  pay  him  for  the  disgrace  of 
the  morning!  Hundreds  of  Frenchmen  saw  the  sun  that  day  for 
the  last  time ;  and  even  the  leader,  Dieskau  himself,  fell  into  our 
hands  so  cut  and  torn  with  the  lead,  that  he  has  gone  back  to  his 
own  country,  unfit  for  further  acts  in  war." 

"  'Twas  a  noble  repulse !"  exclaimed  Heyward,  in  the  heat  of 

i  Baron  Dieskau,  a  German,  in  the  service  of  France.  A  few  years  previous  to  the 
period  of  the  tale,  this  officer  was  defeated  by  Sir  William  Johnson  of  Johnstown,  New 
3fork,  on  the  shores  of  Lake  George.  See  Appendix,  Note  H. 


138  THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS 

his  youthful  ardor;  "the  fame  of  it  reached  us  early,  in  our  south 
ern  army. 

"Ay!  but  it  did  not  end  there.  I  was  sent  by  Major  Effing- 
ham,  at  Sir  William's  own  bidding,  to  outflank  the  French,  and 
carry  the  tidings  of  their  disaster  across  the  portage,  to  the  fort 
on  the  Hudson.  Just  hereaway,  where  you  see  the  trees  rise  into 
a  mountain  swell,  I  met  a  party  coming  down  to  our  aid,  and  I 
led  them  where  the  enemy  were  taking  their  meal,  little  dreaming 
that  they  had  not  finished  the  bloody  work  of  the  day." 

"And  you  surprised  them?" 

"If  death  can  be  a  surprise  to  men  who  are  thinking  only  of 
the  cravings  of  their  appetites.  We  gave  them  but  little  breath 
ing  time,  for  they  had  borne  hard  upon  us  in  the  fight  of  the 
morning,  and  there  were  few  in  our  party  who  had  not  lost  friend 
or  relative  by  their  hands.  When  all  was  over,  the  dead,  and  some 
say  the  dying,  were  cast  into  that  little  pond.  These  eyes  have 
seen  its  waters  colored  with  blood,  as  natural  water  never  yet 
flowed  from  the  bowels  of  the  'arth." 

"It  was  a  convenient,  and,  I  trust,  will  prove  a  peaceful  grave 
for  a  soldier.  You  have,  then,  seen  much  service  on  this  frontier?" 

"1 1"  said  the  scout,  erecting  his  tall  person  with  an  air  of  mili 
tary  pride;  "there  are  not  many  echoes  among  these  hills  that 
haven't  rung  with  the  crack  of  my  rifle,  nor  is  there  the  space  of  a 
square  mile  atwixt  Horican  and  the  river,  that  'Killdeer'  hasn't 
dropped  a  living  body  on,  be  it  an  enemy  or  be  it  a  brute  beast. 
As  for  the  grave,  there,  being  as  quiet  as  you  mention,  it  is  another 
matter.  There  are  them  in  the  camp  who  say  and  think,  man,  to 
lie  still,  should  not  be  buried  while  the  breath  is  in  the  body ;  and 
certain  it  is  that  in  the  hurry  of  that  evening,  the  doctors  had 
but  little  time  to  say  who  was  living  and  who  was  dead.  Hist! 
see  you  nothing  walking  on  the  shore  of  the  pond?" 

"  'Tis  not  probable  that  any  are  as  houseless  as  ourselves,  in 
this  dreary  forest." 

"Such  as  he  may  care  but  little  for  house  or  shelter,  and  night 
dew  can  never  wet  a  body  that  passes  its  days  in  the  water,"  re 
turned  the  scout,  grasping  the  shoulder  of  Heyward  with  such 
convulsive  strength  as  to  make  the  young  soldier  painfully  sensi 
ble  how  much  superstitious  terror  had  got  the  mastery  of  a  man 
usually  so  dauntless. 

"By  heaven!  there  is  a  human  form,  and  it  approaches!  Stand 
to  your  arms,  my  friends ;  for  we  know  not  whom  we  encounter." 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  139 

"Qui  vive?"  demanded  a  stern,  quick  voice,  which  sounded  like 
a  challenge  from  another  world,  issuing  out  of  that  solitary  and 
solemn  place. 

"What  says  it?"  whispered  the  scout;  "it  speaks  neither  In 
dian  nor  English!" 

"Qui  vive?"  repeated  the  same  voice,  which  was  quickly  fol 
lowed  by  the  rattling  of  arms,  and  a  menacing  attitude. 

"France!"  cried  Hey  ward,  advancing  from  the  shadow  of 
the  trees  to  the  shore  of  the  pond,  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
sentinel. 

"D'ou  venez-vous — ou  allez-vous,  d'aussi  bonne  heure?"  de 
manded  the  grenadier,  in  the  language  and  with  the  accent  of  a 
man  from  old  France. 

"Je  viens  de  la  decouverte,  et  je  vais  me  coucher." 

"Etes-vous  officier  du  roi?" 

"Sans  doute,  mon  camarade;  me  prends-tu  pour  un  pro 
vincial!  Je  suis  capitaine  de  chasseurs  ( Heyward  well  knew  that 
the  other  was  of  a  regiment  in  the  line)  ;  j'ai  ici,  avec  moi,  les  filles 
du  commandant  de  la  fortification.  Aha !  tu  en  as  entendu  parler ! 
je  les  ai  fait  prisonnieres  pres  de  1'autre  fort,  et  je  les  conduis  au 
general." 

"Ma  foi!  mesdames;  j'en  suis  fache  pour  vous,"  exclaimed 
the  young  soldier,  touching  his  cap  with  grace;  "mais — fortune 
de  guerre !  vous  trouverez  notre  general  un  brave  homme,  et  bien 
poli  avec  les  dames." 

"C'est  le  caractere  des  gens  de  guerre,"  said  Cora,  with  admir 
able  self-possession.  "Adieu,  mon  ami;  je  vous  souhaiterais  un 
devoir  plus  agreable  a  remplir." 

The  soldier  made  a  low  and  humble  acknowledgment  for  her 
civility;  and  Heyward  adding  a  "Bonne  nuit,  mon  camarade," 
they  moved  deliberately  forward,  leaving  the  sentinel  pacing  the 
banks  of  the  silent  pond,  little  suspecting  an  enemy  of  so  much 
effrontery,  and  humming  to  himself  those  words,  which  were  re 
called  to  his  mind  by  the  sight  of  women,  and  perhaps  by  recol 
lections  of  his  own  distant  and  beautiful  France — 

"Vive  le  vin,   1'amour, "   etc.,   etc. 

"  'Tis  well  you  understood  the  knave!"  whispered  the  scout, 
when  they  had  gained  a  little  distance  from  the  place,  and  letting 
his  rifle  fall  into  the  hollow  of  his  arm  again ;  "I  soon  saw  that  he 
was  one  of  them  uneasy  Frenchers ;  and  well  for  him  it  was  that 


140  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

his  speech  was  friendly  and  his  wishes  kind,  or  a  place  might  have 
been  found  for  his  bones  among  those  of  his  countrymen." 

He  was  interrupted  by  a  long  and  heavy  g/an  which  arose 
from  the  little  basin,  as  though,  in  truth,  the  spirits  of  the  de 
parted  lingered  about  their  watery  sepulchre. 

"Surely  it  was  of  flesh!"  continued  the  scout;  "no  spirit  could 
handle  its  arms  so  steadily!" 

"It  was  of  flesh;  but  whether  the  poor  fellow  still  belongs  to 
this  world  may  well  be  doubted,"  said  Heyward,  glancing  his 
eyes  around  him,  and  missing  Chingachgook  from  their  little  band. 
Another  groan  more  faint  than  the  former,  was  succeeded  by  a 
heavy  and  sullen  plunge  into  the  water,  and  all  was  as  still  again 
as  if  the  borders  of  the  dreary  pool  had  never  been  awakened  from 
the  silence  of  creation.  While  they  yet  hesitated  in  uncertainty, 
the  form  of  the  Indian  was  seen  gliding  out  of  the  thicket.  As 
the  chief  rejoined  them,  with  one  hand  he  attached  the  reeking 
scalp  of  the  unfortunate  young  Frenchman  to  his  girdle,  and 
with  the  other  he  replaced  the  knife  and  tomahawk  that  had 
drunk  his  blood.  He  then  took  his  wonted  station,  with  the  air 
of  a  man  who  believed  he  had  done  a  deed  of  merit. 

The  scout  dropped  one  end  of  his  rifle  to  the  earth,  and  leaning 
his  hands  on  the  other,  he  stood  musing  in  profound  silence.  Then 
shaking  his  head  in  a  mournful  manner,  he  muttered, — 

'Twould  have  been  a  cruel  and  an  unhuman  act  for  a  white- 
skin;  but  'tis  the  gift  and  natur'  of  an  Indian,  and  I  suppose  it 
should  not  be  denied.  I  could  wish,  though,  it  had  befallen  an 
accursed  Mingo,  rather  than  that  gay  young  boy  from  the  old 
countries." 

"Enough!"  said  Heyward,  apprehensive  the  unconscious  sis 
ters  might  comprehend  the  nature  of  the  detention,  and  conquer 
ing  his  disgust  by  a  train  of  reflections  very  much  like  that  of  the 
hunter;  "  'tis  done;  and  though  better  it  were  left  undone,  cannot 
be  amended.  You  see  we  are,  too  obviously,  within  the  sentinels 
of  the  enemy;  what  course  do  you  propose  to  follow?" 

"Yes,"  said  Hawkeye,  rousing  himself  again,  "  'tis  as  you  say, 
too  late  to  harbor  further  thoughts  about  it.  Ay,  the  French 
have  gathered  around  the  fort  in  good  earnest,  and  we  have  a 
delicate  needle  to  thread  in  passing  them." 

"And  but  little  time  to  do  it  in,"  added  Heyward,  glancing 
his  eyes  upward,  toward  the  bank  of  vapor  that  concealed  the 
setting  moon. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS  141 

"And  little  time  to  do  it  in!"  repeated  the  scout.  "The  thing 
may  be  done  in  two  fashions,  by  the  help  of  Providence,  without 
which  it  may  not  be  done  at  all." 

"Name  them  quickly,  for  time  presses." 

"One  would  be  to  dismount  the  gentle  ones,  and  let  their  beasts 
range  the  plain;  by  sending  the  Mohicans  in  front,  we  might 
then  cut  a  lane  through  their  sentries,  and  enter  the  fort  over 
the  dead  bodies." 

"It  will  not  do — it  will  not  do!"  interrupted  the  generous 
Heyward;  "a  soldier  might  force  his  way  in  this  manner,  but 
never  with  such  a  convoy." 

'Twould  be,  indeed,  a  bloody  path  for  tender  feet  to  wade 
in,"  returned  the  equally  reluctant  scout;  "but  I  thought  it  befit 
ting  my  manhood  to  name  it.  We  must  then  turn  on  our  trail 
and  get  without  the  line  of  their  look-outs,  when  we  will  bend  short 
to  the  west,  and  enter  the  mountains;  where  I  can  hide  you,  so 
that  all  the  devil's  hounds  in  Montcalm's  pay  would  be  thrown 
off  the  scent,  for  months  to  come." 

"Let  it  be  done,  and  that  instantly." 

Further  words  were  unnecessary ;  for  Hawkeye,  merely  utter 
ing  the  mandate  to  "follow,"  moved  along  the  route  by  which  they 
had  just  entered  their  present  critical  and  even  dangerous  situa 
tion.  Their  progress,  like  their  late  dialogue,  was  guarded,  and 
without  noise;  for  none  knew  at  what  moment  a  passing  patrol, 
or  a  crouching  picket  of  the  enemy,  might  rise  upon  their  path. 
As  they  held  their  silent  way  along  the  margin  of  the  pond,  again 
Heyward  and  the  scout  stole  furtive  glances  at  its  appalling 
dreariness.  They  looked  in  vain  for  the  form  they  had  so  recently 
seen  stalking  along  its  silent  shores,  while  a  low  and  regular  wash 
of  the  little  waves,  by  announcing  that  the  waters  were  not  yet 
subsided,  furnished  a  frightful  memorial  of  the  deed  of  blood 
they  had  just  witnessed.  Like  all  that  passing  and  gloomy  scene, 
the  low  basin,  however,  quickly  melted  in  the  darkness,  and  be 
came  blended  with  the  mass  of  black  objects  in  the  rear  of  the 
travellers. 

Hawkeye  soon  deviated  from  the  line  of  their  retreat,  and 
striking  off  towards  the  mountains  which  form  the  western 
boundary  of  the  narrow  plain,  he  led  his  followers,  with  swift 
steps,  deep  within  the  shadows  that  were  cast  from  their  high 
and  broken  summits.  The  route  was  now  painful;  lying  over 
ground  ragged  with  rocks,  and  intersected  with  ravines,  and  their 


142  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

progress  proportionately  slow.  Bleak  and  black  hills  lay  on 
every  side  of  them,  compensating  in  some  degree  for.  the  addi 
tional  toil  of  the  march,  by  the  sense  of  security  they  imparted. 
At  length  the  party  began  slowly  to  climb  a  steep  and  rugged 
ascent  by  a  path  that  curiously  wound  among  rocks  and  trees, 
avoiding  the  one,  and  supported  by  the  other,  in  a  manner  that 
showed  it  had  been  devised  by  men  long  practised  in  the  arts  of 
the  wilderness.  As  they  gradually  rose  from  the  level  of  the  val 
leys,  the  thick  darkness  which  usually  precedes  the  approach  of 
day  began  to  disperse,  and  objects  were  seen  in  the  plain  and 
palpable  colors  with  which  they  had  been  gifted  by  nature.  When 
they  issued  from  the  stunted  woods  which  clung  to  the  barren 
sides  of  the  mountain,  upon  a  flat  and  mossy  rock  that  formed  its 
summit,  they  met  the  morning,  as  it  came  blushing  above  the 
green  pines  of  a  hill  that  lay  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  valley 
of  the  Horican. 

The  scout  now  told  the  sisters  to  dismount;  and  taking  the 
bridles  from  the  mouths,  and  the  saddles  off  the  backs  of  the 
jaded  beasts,  he  turned  them  loose,  tt:  glean  a  scanty  subsistence 
among  the  shrubs  and  meagre  herbage  of  that  elevated  region. 

"Go,"  he  said,  "and  seek  your  foo<I  where  natur'  gives  it  you; 
and  beware  that  you  become  not  food  to  ravenous  wolves  your 
selves,  among  these  hills." 

"Have  we  no  further  need  of  them?"  demanded  Heyward. 

''See,  and  judge  with  your  own  eyes,"  said  the  scout,  advanc 
ing  towards  the  eastern  brow  of  the  mountain,  whither  he  beck 
oned  for  the  whole  party  to  follow;  "if  it  was  as  easy  to  look  into 
the  heart  of  man  as  it  is  to  spy  out  the  nakedness  of  Montcalm's 
camp  from  this  spot,  hypocrites  would  grow  scarce,  and  the  cun 
ning  of  a  Mingo  might  prove  a  losing  game,  compared  to  the 
honesty  of  a  Delaware." 

When  the  travellers  reached  the  verge  of  the  precipice,  they 
saw,  at  a  glance,  the  truth  of  the  scout's  declaration,  and  the  ad 
mirable  foresight  with  which  he  had  led  them  to  their  command 
ing  station. 

The  mountain  on  which  they  stood,  elevated,  perhaps,  a  thou 
sand  feet  in  the  air,  was  a  high  cone  that  rose  a  little  in  advance 
of  that  range  which  stretches  for  miles  along  the  western  shores 
of  the  lake,  until  meeting  its  sister  piles,  beyond  the  water,  it  ran 
off  towards  the  Canadas,  in  confused  and  broken  masses  of  rock, 
thinly  sprinkled  with  evergreens.  Immediately  at  the  feet  of  the 


THE   LAST   OE   THE   MOHICANS  143 

party,  the  southern  shore  of  the  Horican  swept  in  a  broad  semi 
circle,  from  mountain  to  mountain,  marking  a  wide  strand,  that 
soon  rose  into  an  uneven  and  somewhat  elevated  plain.  To  the 
north  stretched  the  limpid,  and,  as  it  appeared  from  that  dizzy 
height,  the  narrow  sheet  of  the  "holy  lake,"  indented  with  num 
berless  bays,  embellished  by  fantastic  headlands,  and  dotted  with 
countless  islands.  At  the  distance  of  a  few  leagues,  the  bed  of 
the  waters  became  lost  among  mountains,  or  was  wrapped  in  the 
masses  of  vapor  that  came  slowly  rolling  along  their  bosom,  before 
a  light  morning  air.  But  a  narrow  opening  between  the  crests 
of  the  hills  pointed  out  the  passage  by  which  they  found  their 
way  still  farther  north,  to  spread  their  pure  and  ample  sheets 
again,  before  pouring  out  their  tribute  into  the  distant  Champlairi. 
To  the  south  stretched  the  defile,  or  rather  broken  plain,  so  often 
mentioned.  For  several  miles  in  this  direction,  the  mountains 
appeared  reluctant  to  yield  their  dominion,  but  within  reach  of 
the  eye  they  diverged,  and  finally  melted  into  the  level  and  sandy 
lands,  across  which  we  have  accompanied  our  adventurers  in  their 
double  journey.  Along  both  ranges  of  hills,  which  bounded  the 
opposite  sides  of  the  lake  and  valley,  clouds  of  light  vapor  were 
rising  in  spiral  wreaths  from  the  uninhabited  woods,  looking  like 
the  smokes  of  hidden  cottages;  or  rolled  lazily  down  the  declivi 
ties,  to  mingle  with  the  fogs  of  the  lower  land.  A  single,  solitary, 
snow-white  cloud  floated  above  the  valley,  and  marked  the  spot 
beneath  which  lay  the  silent  pool  of  the  "bloody  pond." 

Directly  on  the  shore  of  the  lake,  and  nearer  to  its  western 
than  to  its  eastern  margin,  lay  the  extensive  earthen  ramparts 
and  low  buildings  of  William  Henry.  Two  of  the  sweeping 
bastions  appeared  to  rest  on  the  water  which  washed  their  bases, 
while  a  deep  ditch  and  extensive  morasses  guarded  its  other  sides 
and  angles.  The  land  had  been  cleared  of  wood  for  a  reasonable 
distance  around  the  work,  but  every  other  part  of  the  scene  lay 
in  the  green  livery  of  nature,  except  where  the  limpid  water  mel 
lowed  the  view,  or  the  bold  rocks  thrust  their  black  and  naked 
heads  above  the  undulating  outline  of  the  mountain  ranges.  In 
its  front  might  be  seen  the  scattered  sentinels,  who  held  a  weary 
watch  against  their  numerous  foes;  and  within  the  walls  them- 
.  selves,  the  travellers  looked  down  upon  men  still  drowsy  with  a 
night  of  vigilance.  Towards  the  southeast,  but  in  immediate 
contact  with  the  fort,  was  an  entrenched  camp,  posted  on  a  rocky 
eminence,  that  would  have  been  far  more  eligible  for  the  work 


144  THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS 

itself,  in  which  Hawkeye  pointed  out  the  presence  of  those  aux 
iliary  regiments  that  had  so  recently  left  the  Hudson  in  their 
company.  From  the  woods,  a  little  farther  to  the  south,  rose 
numerous  dark  and  lurid  smokes,  that  were  easily  to  be  distin 
guished  from  the  purer  exhalations  of  the  springs,  and  which  the 
scout  also  showed  to  Heyward,  as  evidences  that  the  enemy  lay 
in  force  in  that  direction. 

But  the  spectacle  which  most  concerned  the  young  soldier  was 
on  the  western  bank  of  the  lake,  though  quite  near  to  its  southern 
termination.  On  a  strip  of  land,  which  appeared,  from  his  stand, 
too  narrow  to  contain  such  an  army,  but  which,  in  truth,  extended 
many  hundreds  of  yards  from  the  shores  of  the  Horican  to  the 
base  of  the  mountain,  were  to  be  seen  the  white  tents  and  military 
engines  of  an  encampment  of  ten  thousand  men.  Batteries  were 
already  thrown  up  in  their  front,  and  even  while  the  spectators 
above  them  were  looking  down,  with  such  different  emotions,  on 
a  scene  which  lay  like  a  map  beneath  their  feet,  the  roar  of  artil 
lery  rose  from  the  valley,  and  passed  off  in  thundering  echoes, 
along  the  eastern  hills. 

"Morning  is  just  touching  them  below,"  said  the  deliberate 
and  musing  scout,  "and  the  watchers  have  a  mind  to  wake  up  the 
sleepers  by  the  sound  of  cannon.  We  are  a  few  hours  too  late? 
Montcalm  has  already  filled  the  woods  with  his  accursed 
Iroquois." 

"The  place  is,  indeed,  invested,"  returned  Duncan,  "but  is 
there  no  expedient  by  which  we  may  enter?  capture  in  the  works 
would  be  far  preferable  to  falling  again  into  the  hands  of  roving 
Indians." 

"See!"  exclaimed  the  scout,  unconsciously  directing  the  atten 
tion  of  Cora  to  the  quarters  of  her  own  father,  "how  that  shot 
has  made  the  stones  fly  from  the  side  of  the  commandant's  house ! 
Ay!  these  Frenchers  will  pull  it  to  pieces  faster  than  it  was  put 
together,  solid  and  thick  though  it  be." 

"Heyward,  I  sicken  at  the  sight  of  danger  that  I  cannot 
share,"  said  the  undaunted,  but  anxious  daughter.  "Let  us  go  to 
Montcalm,  and  demand  admission:  he  dare  not  deny  a  child  the 
boon." 

"You  would  scarce  find  the  tent  of  the  Frenchman  with  the 
hair  on  your  head,"  said  the  blunt  scout.  "If  I  had  but  one  of 
the  thousand  boats  which  lie  empty  along  that  shore,  it  might  be 
done.  Ha!  here  will  soon  be  an  end  of  the  firing,  for  yonder 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  145 

comes  a  fog  that  will  turn  day  to  night,  and  make  an  Indian  arrow 
more  dangerous  than  a  moulded  cannon.  Now,  if  you  are  equal 
to  the  work,  and  will  follow,  I  will  make  a  push ;  for  I  long  to  get 
down  into  that  camp,  if  it  be  only  to  scatter  some  Mingo  dogs 
that  I  see  lurking  in  the  skirts  of  yonder  thicket  of  birch." 

"We  are  equal,"  said  Cora,  firmly:  "on  such  an  errand  we  will 
follow  to  any  danger." 

The  scout  turned  to  her  with  a  smile  of  honest  and  cordial 
approbation  as  he  answered, — 

"I  would  I  had  a  thousand  men,  of  brawny  limbs  and  quick 
eyes,  that  feared  death  as  little  as  youl  I'd  send  them  jabbering 
Frenchers  back  into  their  den  again,  afore  the  week  was  ended, 
howling  like  so  many  fettered  hounds  or  hungry  wolves.  But 
stir,"  he  added,  turning  from  her  to  the  rest  of  the  party,  "the  fog 
comes  rolling  down  so  fast,  we  shall  have  but  just  the  time  to 
meet  it  on  the  plain,  and  use  it  as  a  cover.  Remember,  if  any  ac 
cident  should  befall  me,  to  keep  the  air  blowing  on  your  left 
cheeks — or  rather,  follow  the  Mohicans;  they'd  scent  their  way, 
be  it  in  day  or  be  it  at  night." 

He  then  waved  his  hand  for  them  to  follow,  and  threw  himself 
down  the  steep  declivity,  with  free,  but  careful  footsteps.  Hey- 
ward  assisted  the  sisters  to  descend,  and  in  a  few  minutes  they 
were  all  far  down  a  mountain  whose  sides  they  had  climbed  with 
so  much  toil  and  pain. 

The  direction  taken  by  Hawkeye  soon  brought  the  travellers 
to  the  level  of  the  plain,  nearly  opposite  to  a  sallyport  in  the 
western  curtain  of  the  fort,  which  lay,  itself,  at  the  distance  of 
about  half  a  mile  from  the  point  where  he  halted  to  allow  Duncan 
to  come  up  with  his  charge.  In  their  eagerness,  and  favored  by 
the  nature  of  the  ground,  they  had  anticipated  the  fog,  which 
was  rolling  heavily  down  the  lake,  and  it  became  necessary  to 
pause,  until  the  mists  had  wrapped  the  camp  of  the  enemy  in  their 
fleecy  mantle.  The  Mohicans  profited  by  the  delay,  to  steal  out 
of  the  woods,  and  to  make  a  survey  of  surrounding  objects.  They 
were  followed  at  a  little  distance  by  the  scout,  with  a  view  to  profit 
early  by  their  report,  and  to  obtain  some  faint  knowledge  for  him 
self  of  the  more  immediate  localities. 

In  a  very  few  moments  he  returned,  his  face  reddened  with 
vexation,  while  he  muttered  his  disappointment  in  words  of  no 
very  gentle  import. 

"Here  has  the  cunning  Frenchman  been  posting  a  picket 


146  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

directly  in  our  path,"  he  said;  "redskins  and  whites;  and  we  shall 
be  as  likely  to  fall  into  their  midst  as  to  pass  them  in  the  fog!" 

"Cannot  we  make  a  circuit  to  avoid  the  danger,"  asked  Hey- 
ward,  "and  come  into  our  path  again  when  it  is  passed?" 

"Who  that  once  bends  from  the  line  of  his  march  in  a  fog  can 
tell  when  or  how  to  turn  to  find  it  again!  The  mists  of  Horican 
are  not  like  the  curls  from  a  peace-pipe,  or  the  smoke  which  settles 
above  a  mosquito  fire." 

He  was  yet  speaking,  when  a  crashing  sound  was  heard,  and 
a  cannon-ball  entered  the  thicket,  striking  the  body  of  a  sapling, 
and  rebounding  to  the  earth,  its  force  being  much  expended  by 
previous  resistance.  The  Indians  followed  instantly ..Jike  busy 
attendants  on  the  terrible  messenger,  and  Uncas  commenced 
speaking  earnestly  and  with  much  action,  in  the  Delaware  tongue. 

"It  may  be  so,  lad,"  muttered  the  scout,  when  he  had  ended; 
"for  desperate  fevers  are  not  to  be  treated  like  a  toothache.  Come, 
then,  the  fog  is  shutting  in." 

"Stop !"  cried  Heyward;  "first  explain  your  expectations." 

'Tis  soon  done,  and  a  small  hope  it  is;  but  it  is  better  than 
nothing.  This  shot  that  you  see,"  added  the  scout,  kicking  the 
harmless  iron  with  his  foot,  "has  ploughed  the  'arth  in  its  road 
from  the  fort,  and  we  shall  hunt  for  the  furrow  it  has  made,  when 
all  other  signs  may  fail.  No  more  words,  but  follow,  or  the  fog 
may  leave  us  in  the  middle  of  our  path,  a  mark  for  both  armies 
to  shoot  at." 

Heyward  perceiving  that,  in  fact,  a  crisis  had  arrived  when 
acts  were  more  required  than  words,  placed  himself  between  the 
sisters,  and  drew  them  swiftly  forward,  keeping  the  dim  figure 
of  their  leader  in  his  eye.  It  was  soon  apparent  that  Hawkeye 
had  not  magnified  the  power  of  the  fog,  for  before  they  had  pro 
ceeded  twenty  yards,  it  was  difficult  for  the  different  individuals 
of  the  party  to  distinguish  each  other,  in  the  vapor. 

They  had  made  their  little  circuit  to  the  left,  and  were  already 
inclining  again  towards  the  right,  having,  as  Heyward  thought, 
got  over  nearly  half  the  distance  to  the  friendly  works,  when  his 
ears  were  saluted  with  the  fierce  summons,  apparently  within 
twenty  feet  of  them,  of— 

"Quivala?" 

"Push  on!"  whispered  the  scout,  once  more  bending  to  the 
left. 

"Push  on!"  repeated  Heyward;  when  the  summons  was  re- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  147 

newed  by  a  dozen  voices,  each  of  which  seemed  charged  with 
menace. 

"C'est  moi,"  cried  Duncan,  dragging,  rather  than  leading 
those  he  supported,  swiftly  onward. 

"Bete!— qui?— moi!" 

"Ami  de  la  France." 

"Tu  m'as  plus  1'air  d'un  ennemi  de  la  France;  arretel  ou  par- 
dieu  je  te  ferai  ami  du  diable.  Non!  feu,  camarades,  feu!" 

The  order  was  instantly  obeyed,  and  the  fog  was  stirred  by 
the  explosion  of  fifty  muskets.  Happily,  the  aim  was  bad,  and 
the  bullets  cut  the  air  in  a  direction  a  little  different  from  that 
taken  by  the  fugitives ;  though  still  so  nigh  them,  that  to  the  un 
practised  ears  of  David  and  the  two  females,  it  appeared  as  if 
they  whistled  within  a  few  inches  of  the  organs.  The  outcry  was 
renewed,  and  the  order,  not  only  to  fire  again,  but  to  pursue,  was 
too  plainly  audible.  When  Heyward  briefly  explained  the  mean 
ing  of  the  words  they  heard,  Hawkeye  halted,  and  spoke  with 
quick  decision  and  great  firmness. 

"Let  us  deliver  our  fire,"  he  said;  "they  will  believe  it  a  sortie, 
and  give  way,  or  they  will  wait  for  reinforcements." 

The  scheme  was  well  conceived,  but  failed  in  its  effect.  The 
instant  the  French  heard  the  pieces,  it  seemed  as  if  the  plain  was 
alive  with  men,  muskets  rattling  along  its  whole  extent,  from 
the  shores  of  the  lake  to  the  farthest  boundary  of  the  woods. 

"We  shall  draw  their  entire  army  upon  us,  and  bring  on 
a  general  assault,"  said  Duncan:  "lead  on,  my  friend,  for  your 
own  life,  and  ours." 

The  scout  seemed  willing  to  comply ;  but,  in  the  hurry  of  the 
moment,  and  in  the  change  of  position,  he  had  lost  the  direction. 
In  vain  he  turned  either  cheek  towards  the  light  air;  they  felt 
equally  cool.  In  this  dilemma,  Uncas  lighted  on  the  furrow  of 
the  cannon-ball,  where  it  had  cut  the  ground  in  three  adjacent 
ant-hills. 

"Give  me  the  range!"  said  Hawkeye,  bending  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  the  direction,  and  then  instantly  moving  onward. 

Cries,  oaths,  voices  calling  to  each  other,  and  the  reports  of 
muskets,  were  now  quick  and  incessant,  and,  apparently,  on  every 
side  of  them.  Suddenly,  a  strong  glare  of  light  flashed  across  the 
scene,  the  fog  rolled  upwards  in  thick  wreaths,  and  several  cannon 
belched  across  the  plain,  and  the  roar  was  thrown  heavily  back 
from  the  bellowing  echoes  of  the  mountain. 


148  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"  'Tis  from  the  fort!"  exclaimed  Hawkeye,  turning  short  on 
his  tracks ;  "and  we,  like  stricken  fools,  were  rushing  to  the  woods, 
under  the  very  knives  of  the  Maquas." 

The  instant  their  mistake  was  rectified,  the  whole  party  re 
traced  the  error  with  the  utmost  diligence.  Duncan  willingly 
relinquished  the  support  of  Cora  to  the  arm  of  Uncas,  and  Cora 
as  readily  accepted  the  welcome  assistance.  Men,  hot  and  angry 
in  pursuit,  were  evidently  on  their  footsteps,  and  each  instant 
threatened  their  capture,  if  not  their  destruction. 

"Point  de  quartier  aux  coquins !"  cried  an  eager  pursuer,  who 
seemed  to  direct  the  operations  of  the  enemy. 

"Stand  firm,  and  be  ready,  my  gallant  GOths!"  suddenly  ex 
claimed  a  voice  above  them;  "wait  to  see  the  enemy, — fire  low, 
and  sweep  the  glacis." 

"Father!  father!"  exclaimed  a  piercing  cry  from  out  the  mist; 
"it  is  I !  Alice !  thy  own  Elsie !  spare,  O !  save  your  daughters  1" 

"Hold!"  shouted  the  former  speaker,  in  the  awful  tones  of 
parental  agony,  the  sound  reaching  even  to  the  woods,  and  rolling 
back  in  solemn  echo.  'Tis  she!  God  has  restored  me  my  chil 
dren!  Throw  open  the  sally-port;  to  the  field,  GOths,  to  the  field; 
pull  not  a  trigger,  lest  ye  kill  my  lambs !  Drive  off  these  dogs  of 
France  with  your  steel." 

Duncan  heard  the  grating  of  the  rusty  hinges,  and  darting  to 
the  spot,  directed  by  the  sound,  he  met  a  long  line  of  dark  red 
warriors,  passing  swiftly  towards  the  glacis.  He  knew  them  for 
his  own  battalion  of  the  royal  Americans,  and  flying  to  their  head, 
soon  swept  every  trace  of  his  pursuers  from  before  the  works. 

For  an  instant,  Cora  and  Alice  had  stood  trembling  and  be 
wildered  by  this  unexpected  desertion;  but,  before  either  had 
leisure  for  speech,  or  even  thought,  an  officer  of  gigantic  frame 
whose  locks  were  bleached  with  years  and  service,  but  whose  air  of 
military  grandeur  had  been  rather  softened  than  destroyed  by 
time,  rushed  out  of  the  body  of  the  mist,  and  folded  them  to  his 
bosom,  while  large  scalding  tears  rolled  down  his  pale  and 
wrinkled  cheeks,  and  he  exclaimed,  in  the  peculiar  accent  of 
Scotland, — 

"For  this  I  thank  thee,  Lord  I  Let  danger  come  as  it  will, 
thy  servant  is  now  prepared!" 


CHAPTER   XV 

"Then  go  we  in,  to  know  his  embassy; 
Which  I  could,  with  ready  guess,  declare, 
Before  the  Frenchman  speak  a  word  of  it." 

King  Henry   V. 

A  FEW  succeeding  days  were  passed  amid  the  privations,  the 
uproar,  and  the  dangers  of  the  siege,  which  was  vigorously  pressed 
by  a  power  against  whose  approaches  Munro  possessed  no  com 
petent  means  of  resistance.  It  appeared  as  if  Webb,  with  his 
army,  which  lay  slumbering  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  had 
utterly  forgotten  the  strait  to  which  his  countrymen  were  reduced. 
Montcalm  had  filled  the  woods  of  the  portage  with  his  savages, 
every  yell  and  whoop  from  whom  rang  through  the  British  en 
campment,  chilling  the  hearts  of  men  who  were  already  but  too 
much  disposed  to  magnify  the  danger. 

Not  so,  however,  with  the  besieged.  Animated  by  the  words, 
and  stimulated  by  the  examples,  of  their  leaders,  they  had  found 
their  courage,  and  maintained  their  ancient  reputation,  with  zeal 
that  did  justice  to  the  stern  character  of  their  commander.  As  if 
satisfied  with  the  toil  of  marching  through  the  wilderness  to  en 
counter  his  enemy,  the  French  general,  though  of  approved  skill, 
had  neglected  to  seize  the  adjacent  mountains;  whence  the  be 
sieged  might  have  been  exterminated  with  impunity,  and  which, 
in  the  more  modern  warfare  of  the  country,  would  not  have  been 
neglected  for  a  single  hour.  This  sort  of  contempt  for  eminences, 
or  rather  dread  of  the  labor  of  ascending  them,  might  have  been 
termed  the  besetting  weakness  of  the  warfare  of  the  period.  It 
originated  in  the  simplicity  of  the  Indian  contests,  in  which,  from 
the  nature  of  the  combats,  and  the  density  of  the  forests,  fortresses 
were  rare,  and  artillery  next  to  useless.  The  carelessness  engen 
dered  by  these  usages  descended  even  to  the  war  of  the  Revolu 
tion,  and  lost  the  States  the  important  fortress  of  Ticonderoga, 
opening  a  way  for  the  army  of  Burgoyne  into  what  was  then  the 
bosom  of  the  country.  We  look  back  at  this  ignorance,  or  infat 
uation,  whichever  it  may  be  called,  with  wonder,  knowing  that 
the  neglect  of  an  eminence,  whose  difficulties,  like  those  of  Mount 

149 


150  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

Defiance,  have  been  so  greatly  exaggerated,  would,  at  the  present 
time,  prove  fatal  to  the  reputation  of  the  engineer  who  had 
planned  the  works  at  their  base,  or  to  that  of  the  general  whose 
lot  it  was  to  defend  them. 

The  tourist,  the  valetudinarian,  or  the  amateur  of  the  beauties 
of  nature,  who,  in  the  train  of  his  four-in-hand,  now  rolls  through 
the  scenes  we  have  attempted  to  describe,  in  quest  of  information, 
health,  or  pleasure,  or  floats  steadily  towards  his  object  on  those 
artificial  waters  which  have  sprung  up  under  the  administration 
of  a  statesman  1  who  has  dared  to  stake  his  political  character  on 
the  hazardous  issue,  is  not  to  suppose  that  his  ancestors  traversed 
those  hills,  or  struggled  with  the  same  currents  with  equal  facility. 
The  transportation  of  a  single  heavy  gun  was  often  considered 
equal  to  a  victory  gained;  if,  happily,  the  difficulties  of  the  passage 
had  not  so  far  separated  it  from  its  necessary  concomitant,  the 
ammunition,  as  to  render  it  no  more  than  an  useless  tube  of  un 
wieldy  iron. 

The  evils  of  this  state  of  things  pressed  heavily  on  the  fortunes 
of  the  resolute  Scotsman  who  now  defended  William  Henry. 
Though  his  adversary  neglected  the  hills,  he  had  planted  his  bat 
teries  with  judgment  on  the  plain,  and  caused  them  to  be  served 
with  vigor  and  skill.  Against  this  assault,  the  besieged  could  only 
oppose  the  imperfect  and  hasty  preparations  of  a  fortress  in  the 
wilderness. 

It  was  in  the  afternoon  of  the  fifth  day  of  the  siege,  and  the 
fourth  of  his  own  service  in  it,  that  Major  Hey  ward  profited  by 
a  parley  that  had  just  been  beaten,  by  repairing  to  the  ramparts 
of  one  of  the  water  bastions,  to  breathe  the  cool  air  from  the  lake, 
and  to  take  a  survey  of  the  progress  of  the  siege.  He  was  alone, 
if  the  solitary  sentinel  who  paced  the  mound  be  excepted;  for 
the  artillerists  had  hastened  also  to  profit  by  the  temporary  sus 
pension  of  their  arduous  duties.  The  evening  was  delightfully 
calm,  and  the  light  air  from  the  limpid  water  fresh  and  soothing. 
It  seemed  as  if,  with  the  termination  to  the  roar  of  artillery  and 
the  plunging  of  shot,  nature  had  also  seized  the  moment  to  assume 
her  mildest  and  most  captivating  form.  The  sun  poured  down  his 
parting  glory  on  the  scene,  without  the  oppression  of  those  fierce 
rays  that  belong  to  the  climate  and  the  season.  The  mountains 
looked  green  and  fresh  and  lovely;  tempered  with  the  milder 
light,  or  softened  in  shadow,  as  thin  vapors  floated  between 

i  Evidently  the  late  De  Witt  Clinton,  who  died  governor  of  New  York  in  1828. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  151 

them  and  the  sun.  The  numerous  islands  rested  on  the  bosom 
of  the  Horican,  some  low  and  sunken,  as  if  imbedded  in  the 
waters,  and  others  appearing  to  hover  above  the  element,  in 
little  hillocks  of  green  velvet;  among  which  the  fishermen  of  the 
beleaguering  army  peacefully  rowed  their  skiffs,  or  floated  at 
rest  on  the  glassy  mirror,  in  quiet  pursuit  of  their  employment. 

The  scene  was  at  once  animated  and  still.  All  that  pertained 
to  nature  was  sweet,  or  simply  grand ;  while  those  parts  which  de 
pended  on  the  temper  and  movements  of  man  were  lively  and 
playful. 

Two  little  spotless  flags  were  abroad,  the  one  on  a  salient 
angle  of  the  fort,  and  the  other  on  the  advanced  battery  of  the 
besiegers ;  emblems  of  the  truce  which  existed,  not  only  to  the  acts, 
but  it  would  seem,  also,  to  the  enmity  of  the  combatants. 

Behind  these,  again,  swung,  heavily  opening  and  closing  in 
silken  folds,  the  rival  standards  of  England  and  France. 

A  hundred  gay  and  thoughtless  young  Frenchmen  were  draw 
ing  a  net  to  the  pebbly  beach,  within  dangerous  proximity  to  the 
sullen  but  silent  cannon  of  the  fort,  while  the  eastern  mountain 
was  sending  back  the  loud  shouts  and  gay  merriment  that  attend 
ed  their  sport.  Some  were  rushing  eagerly  to  enjoy  the  aquatic 
games  of  the  lake,  and  others  were  already  toiling  their  way  up 
the  neighboring  hills,  with  the  restless  curiosity  of  their  nation. 
To  all  these  sports  and  pursuits,  those  of  the  enemy  who  watched 
the  besieged,  and  the  besieged  themselves,  were,  however,  merely 
the  idle,  though  sympathizing  spectators.  Here  and  there  a 
picket  had,  indeed,  raised  a  song,  or  mingled  in  a  dance,  which  had 
drawn  the  dusky  savages  around  them,  from  their  lairs  in  the 
forest.  In  short,  everything  wore  rather  the  appearance  of  a  day 
of  pleasure,  than  of  an  hour  stolen  from  the  dangers  and  toil  of 
a  bloody  and  vindictive  warfare. 

Duncan  had  stood  in  a  musing  attitude,  contemplating  this 
scene  a  few  minutes,  when  his  eyes  were  directed  to  the  glacis  in 
front  of  the  sally-port  already  mentioned,  by  the  sounds  of  ap 
proaching  footsteps.  He  walked  to  an  angle  of  the  bastion,  and 
beheld  the  scout  advancing,  under  the  custody  of  a  French  officer, 
to  the  body  of  the  fort.  The  countenance  of  Hawkeye  was  hag 
gard  and  careworn,  and  his  air  dejected,  as  though  he  felt  the 
deepest  degradation  at  having  fallen  into  the  power  of  his  ene 
mies.  He  was  without  his  favorite  weapon,  and  his  arms  were 
even  bound  behind  him  with  thongs,  made  of  the  skin  of  a  deer. 


152  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

The  arrival  of  flags,  to  cover  the  messengers  of  summons,  had 
occurred  so  often  of  late,  that  when  Heyward  first  threw  his  care 
less  glance  on  this  group,  he  expected  to  see  another  of  the  officers 
of  the  enemy,  charged  with  a  similar  office;  but  the  instant  he 
recognized  the  tall  person,  and  still  sturdy,  though  downcast 
features  of  his  friend  the  woodsman,  he  started  with  surprise,  and 
turned  to  descend  from  the  bastion  into  the  bosom  of  the  work. 

The  sounds  of  other  voices,  however,  caught  his  attention, 
and  for  a  moment  caused  him  to  forget  his  purpose.  At  the  inner 
angle  of  the  mound  he  met  the  sisters,  walking  along  the  parapet 
in  search,  like  himself,  of  air  and  relief  from  confinement.  They 
had  not  met  from  that  painful  moment  when  he  deserted  them 
on  the  plain,  only  to  assure  their  safety.  He  had  parted  from 
them  worn  with  care,  and  jaded  with  fatigue;  he  now  saw  them 
refreshed  and  blooming,  though  timid  and  anxious.  Under  such 
an  inducement,  it.  will  cause  no  surprise  that  the  young  man  lost 
sight,  for  a  time,  of  other  objects  in  order  to  address  them.  He 
was,  however,  anticipated  by  the  voice  of  the  ingenuous  and 
youthful  Alice. 

"Ah!  thou  truant!  thou  recreant  knight!  he  who  abandons  Ms 
damsels  in  the  very  lists !"  she  cried ;  "here  have  we  been  days,  nay, 
ages,  expecting  you  at  our  feet,  imploring  mercy  and  forgetful- 
ness  of  your  craven  backsliding,  or,  I  should  rather  say,  back- 
running — for  verily  you  fled  in  a  manner  that  no  stricken  deer, 
as  our  worthy  friend  the  scout  would  say,  could  equal!" 

"You  know  that  Alice  means  our  thanks  and  our  blessings," 
added  the  graver  and  more  thoughtful  Cora.  "In  truth,  we  have 
a  little  wondered  why  you  should  so  rigidly  absent  yourself  from 
a  place  where  the  gratitude  of  the  daughters  might  receive  the 
support  of  a  parent's  thanks." 

"Your  father  himself  could  tell  you,  that  though  absent  from 
your  presence,  I  have  not  been  altogether  forgetful  of  your 
safety,"  returned  the  young  man;  "the  mastery  of  yonder  village 
of  huts,"  pointing  to  the  neighboring  entrenched  camp,  "has  been 
keenly  disputed ;  and  he  who  holds  it  is  sure  to  be  possessed  of  this 
fort,  and  that  which  it  contains.  My  days  and  my  nights  have  all 
been  passed  there  since  we  separated,  because  I  thought  that  duty 
called  me  thither.  But,"  he  added  with  an  air  of  chagrin,  which 
he  endeavored,  though  unsuccessfully,  to  conceal,  "had  I  been 
aware  that  what  I  then  believed  a  soldier's  conduct  could  so  be 
construed,  shame  would  have  been  added  to  the  list  of  reasons." 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  153 

"Heyward! — Duncan!"  exclaimed  Alice,  bending  forward  to 
read  his  half -averted  countenance,  until  a  lock  of  her  golden  hair 
rested  on  her  flushed  cheek,  and  nearly  concealed  the  tear  that 
had  started  to  her  eye;  "did  I  think  this  idle  tongue  of  mine  had 
pained  you,  I  would  silence  it  forever.  Cora  can  say,  if  Cora 
would,  how  justly  we  have  prized  your  services,  and  how  deep — I 
had  almost  said,  how  fervent — is  our  gratitude." 

"And  will  Cora  attest  the  truth  of  this?"  cried  Duncan,  suffer 
ing  the  cloud  to  be  chased  from  his  countenance  by  a  smile  of  open 
pleasure.  "What  says  our  graver  sister?  Will  she  find  an  excuse 
for  the  neglect  of  the  knight  in  the  duty  of  a  soldier?" 

Cora  made  no  immediate  answer,  but  turned  her  face  towards 
the  water,  as  if  looking  on  the  sheet  of  the  Horican.  When  she 
did  bend  her  dark  eyes  on  the  young  man,  they  were  yet  filled 
with  an  expression  of  anguish  that  at  once  drove  every  thought 
but  that  of  kind  solicitude  from  his  mind. 

"You  are  not  well,  dearest  Miss  Munro!"  he  exclaimed;  "we 
have  trifled  while  you  are  in  suffering." 

1  'Tis  nothing,"  she  answered,  refusing  his  offered  support 
with  feminine  reserve.  "That  I  cannot  see  the  sunny  side  of  the 
picture  of  life,  like  this  artless  but  ardent  enthusiast,"  she  added, 
laying  her  hand  lightly,  but  affectionately,  on  the  arm  of  her 
sister,  "is  the  penalty  of  experience,  and,  perhaps,  the  misfortune 
of  my  nature.  See,"  she  continued,  as  if  determined  to  shake  off 
infirmity,  in  a  sense  of  duty;  "look  around  you,  Major  Heyward, 
and  tell  me  what  a  prospect  is  this  for  the  daughter  of  a  soldier 
whose  greatest  happiness  is  his  honor  and  his  military  renown." 

"Neither  ought  nor  shall  be  tarnished  by  circumstances  over 
which  he  has  had  no-  control,"  Duncan  warmly  replied.  "But 
your  words  recall  me  to  my  own  duty.  I  go  now  to  your  gallant 
father,  to  hear  his  determination  in  matters  of  the  last  moment 
to  the  defence.  God  bless  you  in  every  fortune,  noble — Cora — I 
may  and  must  call  you."  She  frankly  gave  him  her  hand,  though 
her  lip  quivered,  and  her  cheeks  gradually  became  of  an  ashy 
paleness.  "In  every  fortune,  I  know  you  will  be  an  ornament  and 
honor  to  your  sex.  Alice,  adieu" — his  tone  changed  from  admira 
tion  to  tenderness — "adieu,  Alice;  we  shall  soon  meet  again;  as 
conquerors,  I  trust,  and  amid  rejoicings!" 

Without  waiting  for  an  answer  from  either,  the  young  man 
threw  himself  down  the  grassy  steps  of  the  bastion,  and  moving 
rapidly  across  the  parade,  he  was  quickly  in  the  presence  of  their 


154  THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS 

father.  Munro  was  pacing  his  narrow  apartment  with  a  disturbed 
air  and  gigantic  strides  as  Duncan  entered. 

"You  have  anticipated  my  wishes,  Major  Heyward,"  he  said; 
"I  was  about  to  request  this  favor." 

"I  am  sorry  to  see,  sir,  that  the  messenger  I  so  warmly  recom 
mended  has  returned  in  custody  of  the  French!  I  hope  there  is 
no  reason  to  distrust  his  fidelity?" 

"The  fidelity  of  'The  Long  Rifle'  is  well  known  to  me,"  re 
turned  Munro,  "and  is  above  suspicion;  though  his  usual  good 
fortune  seems,  at  last,  to  have  failed.  Montcalm  has  got  him, 
and  with  the  accursed  politeness  of  his  nation,  he  has  sent  him  in 
with  a  doleful  tale,  of  'knowing  how  I  valued  the  fellow,  he  could 
not  think  of  retaining  him.'  A  Jesuitical  way,  that,  Major  Dun 
can  Heyward,  of  telling  a  man  of  his  misfortunes!" 

"But  the  general  and  his  succor?" 

"Did  ye  look  to  the  south  as  ye  entered,  and  could  ye  not  see 
them?"  said  the  old  soldier,  laughing  bitterly.  "Hoot!  hoot! 
you're  an  impatient  boy,  sir,  and  cannot  give  the  gentlemen  leisure 
for  their  march!" 

"They  are  coming,  then?    The  scout  has  said  as  much?" 

"When?  and  by  what  path?  for  the  dunce  has  omitted  to  tell 
me  this.  There  is  a  letter,  it  would  seem,  too;  and  that  is  the  only 
agreeable  part  of  the  matter.  For  the  customary  attentions  of 
your  Marquis  of  Montcalm — I  warrant  me,  Duncan,  that  he  of 
Lothian  would  buy  a  dozen  such  marquisates — but,  if  the  news  of 
the  letter  were  bad,  the  gentility  of  this  French  monsieur  would 
certainly  compel  him  to  let  us  know  it." 

"He  keeps  the  letter,  then,  while  he  releases  the' messenger!" 

"Ay,  that  does  he,  and  all  for  the  sake  of  what  you  call  your 
'bonhommie.'  I  would  venture,  if  the  truth  was  known,  the  fel 
low's  grandfather  taught  the  noble  science  of  dancing." 

"But  what  says  the  scout?  he  has  eyes  and  ears,  and  a  tongue: 
what  verbal  report  does  he  make?" 

"O !  sir,  he  is  not  wanting  in  natural  organs,  and  he  is  free  to 
tell  all  that  he  has  seen  and  heard.  The  whole  amount  is  this: 
there  is  a  fort  of  his  majesty's  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  called 
Edward,  in  honor  of  his  gracious  highness  of  York,  you'll  know ; 
and  it  is  well  filled  with  armed  men,  as  such  a  work  should  be."  , 

"But  was  there  no  movement,  no  signs  of  any  intention  to 
advance  to  our  relief  ?" 


THE   LAST   OE   THE   MOHICANS  155 

"There  were  the  morning  and  evening  parades;  and  when  one 
of  the  provincial  loons — you'll  know,  Duncan,  you're  half  a  Scots 
man  yourself — when  one  of  them  dropped  his  powder  over  his 
porretch,  if  it  touched  the  coals,  it  just  burnt!"  Then  suddenly 
changing  his  bitter,  ironical  manner,  to  one  more  grave  and 
thoughtful,  he  continued;  "and  yet  there  might,  and  must  be, 
something  in  that  letter  which  it  would  be  well  to  know!" 

"Our  decision  should  be  speedy,"  said  Duncan,  gladly  avail 
ing  himself  of  this  change  of  humor,  to  press  the  more  important 
objects  of  their  interview;  "I  cannot  conceal  from  you,  sir,  that 
the  camp  will  not  be  much  longer  tenable ;  and  I  am  sorry  to  add, 
that  things  appear  no  better  in  the  fort ;  more  than  half  the  guns 
are  bursted." 

"And  how  should  it  be  otherwise?  Some  were  fished  from  the 
bottom  of  the  lake ;  some  have  been  rusting  in  the  woods  since  the 
discovery  of  the  country ;  and  some  were  never  guns  at  all — mere 
privateersmen's  playthings!  Do  you  think,  sir,  you  can  have 
Woolwich  Warren  in  the  midst  of  a  wilderness,  three  thousand 
miles  from  Great  Britain!" 

"The  walls  are  crumbling  about  our  ears,  and  provisions  begin 
to  fail  us,"  continued  Heyward,  without  regarding  this  new  burst 
of  indignation;  "even  the  men  show  signs  of  discontent  and 
alarm." 

"Major  Heyward,"  said  Munro,  turning  to  his  youthful  asso 
ciate  with  the  dignity  of  his  years  and  superior  rank;  "I  should 
have  served  his  majesty  for  half  a  century,  and  earned  these  gray 
hairs,  in  vain,  were  I  ignorant  of  all  you  say,  and  of  the  pressing 
nature  of  our  circumstances;  still,  there  is  everything  due  to  the 
honor  of  the  king's  arms  and  something  to  ourselves.  While  there 
is  hope  of  succor,  this  fortress  will  I  defend,  though  it  be  to  be 
done  with  pebbles  gathered  on  the  lake  shore.  It  is  a  sight  of  the 
letter,  therefore,  that  we  want,  that  we  may  know  the  intentions 
of  the  man  the  Earl  of  Loudon  has  left  among  us  as  his  sub 
stitute." 

"And  can  I  be  of  service  in  the  matter?" 

"Sir,  you  can;  the  Marquis  of  Montcalm  has,  in  addition  to  his 
other  civilities,  invited  me  to  a  personal  interview  between  the 
works  and  his  own  camp ;  in  order,  as  he  says,  to  impart  some  addi 
tional  information.  Now,  I  think  it  would  not  be  wise  to  show 
any  undue  solicitude  to  meet  him,  and  I  would  employ  you,  an 
officer  of  rank,  as  my  substitute ;  for  it  would  but  ill  comport  with 


156  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

the  honor  of  Scotland  to  let  it  be  said  one  of  her  gentlemen 
was  outdone  in  civility  by  a  native  of  any  other  country  on 
earth." 

Without  assuming  the  supererogatory  task  of  entering  into  a 
discussion  of  the  comparative  merits  of  national  courtesy,  Duncan 
cheerfully  assented  to  supply  the  place  of  the  veteran  in  the  ap 
proaching  interview.  A  long  and  confidential  communication  now 
succeeded,  during  which  the  young  man  received  some  additional 
insight  into  his  duty,  from  the  experience  and  native  acuteness 
of  his  commander,  and  then  the  former  took  his  leave. 

As  Duncan  could  only  act  as  the  representative  of  the  com 
mandant  of  the  fort,  the  ceremonies  which  should  have  accom 
panied  a  meeting  between  the  heads  of  the  adverse  forces  were 
of  course  dispensed  with.  The  truce  still  existed,  and  with  a  roll 
and  beat  of  the  drum,  and  covered  by  a  little  white  flag,  Duncan 
left  the  sally-port,  within  ten  minutes  after  his  instructions  were 
ended.  He  was  received  by  the  French  officer  in  advance  with 
the  usual  formalities,  and  immediately  accompanied  to  a  distant 
marquee  of  the  renowned  soldier  who  led  the  forces  of  France. 

The  general  of  the  enemy  received  the  youthful  messenger, 
surrounded  by  his  principal  officers,  and  by  a  swarthy  band  of 
the  native  chiefs,  who  had  followed  him  to  the  field,  with  the  war 
riors  of  their  several  tribes.  Heyward  paused  short,  when,  in 
glancing  his  eyes  rapidly  over  the  dark  group  of  the  latter,  he 
beheld  the  malignant  countenance  of  Magua,  regarding  him  with 
the  calm  but  sullen  attention  which  marked  the  expression  of  that 
subtle  savage.  A  slight  exclamation  of  surprise  even  burst  from 
the  lips  of  the  young  man;  but  instantly  recollecting  his  errand, 
and  the  presence  in  which  he  stood,  he  suppressed  every  appear 
ance  of  emotion,  and  turned  to  the  hostile  leader,  who  had  already 
advanced  a  step  to  receive  him. 

The  Marquis  of  Montcalm  was,  at  the  period  of  which  we 
write,  in  the  flower  of  his  age,  and,  it  may  be  added,  in  the  zenith 
of  his  fortunes.  But,  even  in  that  enviable  situation,  he  was 
affable,  and  distinguished  as  much  for  his  attention  to  the  forms 
of  courtesy,  as  for  that  chivalrous  courage  which,  only  two  short 
years  afterwards,  induced  him  to  throw  away  his  life  on  the  plains 
of  Abraham.  Duncan,  in  turning  his  eyes  from  the  malign  ex 
pression  of  Magua,  suffered  them  to  rest  with  pleasure  on  the 
smiling  and  polished  features,  and  the  noble  military  air,  of  the 
French  general. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  157 

"Monsieur,"  said  the  latter,  "j'ai  beaucoup  de  plaisir  a — bah! 
— ou  est  cet  interprete?" 

"Je  crois,  monsieur,  qu'il  ne  sera  pas  necessaire,"  Heyward 
modestly  replied;  "je  parle  un  peu  Fran9ais." 

"Ah!  j'en  suis  bien  aise,"  said  Montcalm,  taking  Duncan 
familiarly  by  the  arm,  and  leading  him  deep  into  the  marquee,  a 
little  out  of  ear-shot;  "je  deteste  ces  fripons-la;  on  ne  sait  jamais 
sur  quel  pie  on  est  avec  eux.  Eh,  bien!  monsieur,"  he  continued, 
still  speaking  in  French;  "though  I  should  have  been  proud  of 
receiving  your  commandant,  I  am  very  happy  that  he  has  seen 
proper  to  employ  an  officer  so  distinguished,  and  who,  I  am  sure, 
is  so  amiable,  as  yourself." 

Duncan  bowed  low,  pleased  with  the  compliment,  in  spite  of  a 
most  heroic  determination  to  suffer  no  artifice  to  allure  him  into 
f orgetfulness  of  the  interest  of  his  prince ;  and  Montcalm,  after 
a  pause  of  a  moment,  as  if  to  recollect  his  thoughts,  proceeded,— 

"Your  commandant  is  a  brave  man,  and  well  qualified  to  repel 
my  assault.  Mais,  monsieur,  is  it  not  time  to  begin  to  take  more 
counsel  of  humanity,  and  less  of  your  courage?  The  one  as 
strongly  characterizes  the  hero  as  the  other." 

"We  consider  the  qualities  as  inseparable,"  returned  Duncan, 
smiling;  "but  while  we  find  in  the  vigor  of  your  excellency  every 
motive  to  stimulate  the  one,  we  can,  as  yet,  see  no  particular  call 
for  the  exercise  of  the  other." 

Montcalm,  in  his  turn,  slightly  bowed,  but  it  was  with  the  air 
of  a  man  too  practised  to  remember  the  language  of  flattery. 
After  musing  a  moment,  he  added, — 

"It  is  possible  my  glasses  have  deceived  me,  and  that  your 
works  resist  our  cannon  better  than  I  had  supposed.  You  know 
our  force?" 

"Our  accounts  vary,"  said  Duncan,  carelessly;  "the  highest, 
however,  has  not  exceeded  twenty  thousand  men." 

The  Frenchman  bit  his  lip,  and  fastened  his  eyes  keenly  on 
the  other  as  if  to  read  his  thoughts;  then,  with  a  readiness  peculiar 
to  himself,  he  continued,  as  if  assenting  to  the  truth  of  an  enu 
meration  which  quite  doubled  his  army,— 

"It  is  a  poor  compliment  to  the  vigilance  of  us  soldiers,  mon 
sieur,  that,  do  what  we  will,  we  never  can  conceal  our  numbers. 
If  it  were  to  be  done  at  all,  one  would  believe  it  might  succeed 
in  these  woods.  Though  you  think  it  too  soon  to  listen  to  the  calls 


158  THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS 

of  humanity,"  he  added,  smiling  archly,  "I  may  be  permitted  to 
believe  that  gallantry  is  not  forgotten  by  one  so  young  as  yourself. 
The  daughters  of  the  commandant,  I  learn,  have  passed  into  the 
fort  since  it  was  invested?" 

"It  is  true,  monsieur;  but,  so  far  from  weakening  our  efforts, 
they  set  us  an  example  of  courage  in  their  own  fortitude.  Were 
nothing  but  resolution  necessary  to  repel  so  accomplished  a  soldier 
as  M.  de  Montcalm,  I  would  gladly  trust  the  defence  of  William 
Henry  to  the  elder  of  those  ladies." 

"We  have  a  wise  ordinance  in  our  Salique  laws,  which  says, 
'The  crown  of  France  shall  never  degrade  the  lance  to  the 
distaff,'"  said  Montcalm,  dryly,  and  with  a  little  hauteur;  but 
instantly  adding,  with  his  former  frank  and  easy  air,  "as  all  the 
nobler  qualities  are  hereditary,  I  can  easily  credit  you;  though, 
as  I  said  before,  courage  has  its  limits,  and  humanity  must  not 
be  forgotten.  I  trust,  monsieur,  you  come  authorized  to  treat  for 
the  surrender  of  the  place?" 

"Has  your  excellency  found  our  defence  so  feeble  as  to  believe 
the  measure  necessary?" 

"I  should  be  sorry  to  have  the  defence  protracted  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  irritate  my  red  friends  there,"  continued  Montcalm, 
glancing  his  eyes  at  the  group  of  grave  and  attentive  Indians, 
without  attending  to  the  other's  question;  "I  find  it  difficult,  even 
now,  to  limit  them  to  the  usages  of  war." 

Heyward  was  silent;  for  a  painful  recollection  of  the  dangers 
he  had  so  recently  escaped  came  over  his  mind,  and  recalled  the 
images  of  those  defenceless  beings  who  had  shared  in  all  his 
sufferings. 

"Ces  messieurs-la,"  said  Montcalm,  following  up  the  advan 
tage  which  he  conceived  he  had  gained,  "are  most  formidable  when 
baffled :  and  it  is  unnecessary  to  tell  you  with  what  difficulty  they 
are  restrained  in  their  anger.  Eh  bien,  monsieur !  shall  we  speak 
of  the  terms?" 

"I  fear  your  excellency  has  been  deceived  as  to  the  strength 
of  William  Henry,  and  the  resources  of  its  garrison!" 

"I  have  not  sat  down  before  Quebec,  but  an  earthen  work, 
that  is  defended  by  twenty-three  hundred  gallant  men,"  was 
the  laconic  reply. 

"Our  mounds  are  earthen,  certainly — nor  are  they  seated  on 
the  rocks  of  Cape  Diamond;  but  they  stand  on  that  shore  which 
proved  so  destructive  to  Dieskau  and  his  army.  There  is  also  a 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  159 

powerful  force  within  a  few  hours'  march  of  us,  which  we  account 
upon  as  part  of  our  means." 

"Some  six  or  eight  thousand  men,"  returned  Montcalm,  with 
much  apparent  indifference,  "whom  their  leader  wisely  judges 
to  be  safer  in  their  works  than  in  the  field." 

It  was  now  Heyward's  turn  to  bite  his  lip  with  vexation,  as 
the  other  so  coolly  alluded  to  a  force  which  the  young  man  knew 
to  be  overrated.  Both  mused  a  little  while  in  silence,  when 
Montcalm  renewed  the  conversation,  in  a  way  that  showed  he 
believed  the  visit  of  his  guest  was  solely  to  propose  terms  of 
capitulation.  On  the  other  hand,  Heyward  began  to  throw  sun 
dry  inducements  in  the  way  of  the  French  general,  to  betray 
the  discoveries  he  had  made  through  the  intercepted  letter.  The 
artifice  of  neither,  however,  succeeded ;  and  after  a  protracted  and 
fruitless  interview,  Duncan  took  his  leave,  favorably  impressed 
with  an  opinion  of  the  courtesy  and  talents  of  the  enemy's  captain, 
but  as  ignorant  of  what  he  came  to  learn  as  when  he  arrived. 
Montcalm  followed  him  as  far  as  the  entrance  of  the  marquee, 
renewing  his  invitations  to  the  commandant  of  the  fort  to  give  him 
an  immediate  meeting  in  the  open  ground,  between  the  two 
armies. 

There  they  separated,  and  Duncan  returned  to  the  advanced 
post  of  the  French,  accompanied  as  before;  whence  he  instantly 
proceeded  to  the  fort,  and  to  the  quarters  of  his  own  commander. 


CHAPTER    XVI 

"Edg.— Before  you  fight  the  battle,  ope  this  letter." 

King  Lear. 

MAJOR  HEYWARD  found  Munro  attended  only  by  his  daughters. 
Alice  sat  upon  his  knee,  parting  the  gray  hairs  on  the  forehead 
of  the  old  man  with  her  delicate  fingers ;  and,  whenever  he  affected 
to  frown  on  her  trifling,  appeasing  his  assumed  anger  by  pressing 
her  ruby  lips  fondly  on  his  wrinkled  brow.  Cora  was  seated 
nigh  them,  a  calm  and  amused  looker-on ;  regarding  the  wayward 
movements  of  her  more  youthful  sister,  with  that  species  of 
maternal  fondness  which  characterized  her  love  for  Alice.  Not 
only  the  dangers  through  which  they  had  passed,  but  those  which 
still  impended  above  them,  appeared  to  be  momentarily  forgotten-, 
in  the  soothing  indulgence  of  such  a  family  meeting.  It  seemed 
as  if  they  had  profited  by  the  short  truce,  to  devote  an  instant  to 
the  purest  and  best  affections:  the  daughters  forgetting  their 
fears,  and  the  veteran  his  cares,  in  the  security  of  the  moment. 
Of  this  scene,  Duncan,  who  in  his  eagerness  to  report  his  arrival 
had  entered  unannounced,  stood  many  moments  an  unobserved 
and  a  delighted  spectator.  But  the  quick  and  dancing  eyes  of 
Alice  soon  caught  a  glimpse  of  his  figure  reflected  from  a  glass, 
and  she  sprang  blushing  from  her  father's  knee,  exclaiming 
aloud, — 

"Major  Hey  ward!" 

"What  of  the  lad?"  demanded  the  father;  "I  have  sent  him 
to  crack  a  little  with  the  Frenchman.  Ha!  sir,  you  are  young,  and 
you're  nimble !  Away  with  you,  ye  baggage ;  as  if  there  were  not 
troubles  enough  for  a  soldier,  without  having  his  camp  filled  with 
such  prattling  hussies  as  yourself!" 

Alice  laughingly  followed  her  sister,  who  instantly  led  the 
way  from  an  apartment  where  she  perceived  their  presence  was 
no  longer  desirable.  Munro,  instead  of  demanding  the  result  of 
the  young  man's  mission,  paced  the  room  for  a  few  moments,  with 
his  hands  behind  his  back,  and  his  head  inclined  towards  the  floor, 

160 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  161 

like  a  man  lost  in  thought.  At  length  he  raised  his  eyes,  glistening 
with  a  father's  fondness,  and  exclaimed,— 

"They  are  a  pair  of  excellent  girls,  Heyward,  and  such  as 
any  one  may  boast  of." 

"You  are  not  now  to  learn  my  opinion  of  your  daughters, 
Colonel  Munro." 

"True,  lad,  true,"  interrupted  the  impatient  old  man;  "you 
were  about  opening  your  mind  more  fully  on  that  matter  the  day 
you  got  in;  but  I  did  not  think  it  becoming  in  an  old  soldier  to 
be  talking  of  nuptial  blessings  and  wedding  jokes  when  the  ene 
mies  of  his  king  were  likely  to  be  unbidden  guests  at  the  feast! 
But  I  was  wrong,  Duncan,  boy,  I  was  wrong  there;  and  I  am 
now  ready  to  hear  what  you  have  to  say." 

"Notwithstanding  the  pleasure  your  assurance  gives  me,  dear 
sir,  I  have  just  now  a  message  from  Montcalm— 

"Let  the  Frenchman  and  all  his  host  go  to  the  devil,  sir?"  ex 
claimed  the  hasty  veteran.  "He  is  not  yet  master  of  William 
Henry,  nor  shall  he  ever  be,  provided  Webb  proves  himself  the 
man  he  should.  No,  sir !  thank  Heaven,  we  are  not  yet  in  such  a 
strait  that  it  can  be  said  Munro  is  too  much  pressed  to  discharge 
the  little  domestic  duties  of  his  own  family.  Your  mother  was 
the  only  child  of  my  bosom  friend,  Duncan;  and  I'll  just  give  you 
a  hearing,  though  all  the  knights  of  St.  Louis  were  in  a  body  at 
the  sally-port,  with  the  French  saint  at  their  head,  craving  to 
speak  a  word  under  favor.  A  pretty  degree  of  knighthood,  sir, 
is  that  which  can  be  bought  with  sugar-hogsheads!  and  then  your 
two-penny  marquisates !  The  thistle  is  the  order  for  dignity  and 
antiquity;  the  veritable  nemo  me  immune  lacessit  of  chivalry!  Ye 
had  ancestors  in  that  degree,  Duncan,  and  they  were  an  ornament 
to  the  nobles  of  Scotland." 

Heyward,  who  perceived  that  his  superior  took  a  malicious 
pleasure  in  exhibiting  his  contempt  for  the  message  of  the  French 
general,  was  fain  to  humor  a  spleen  that  he  knew  would  be  short 
lived;  he  therefore  replied  with  as  much  indifference  as  he  could 
assume  on  such  a  subject,— 

"My  request,  as  you  know,  sir,  went  so  far  as  to  presume  to 
the  honor  of  being  your  son." 

"Ay,  boy,  you  found  words  to  make  yourself  very  plainly 
comprehended.  But,  let  me  ask  ye,  sir,  have  you  been  as  intel 
ligible  to  the  girl?" 

"On  my  honor,  no,"  exclaimed  Duncan,  warmly;  "there  would 


162  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

have  been  an  abuse  of  a  confided  trust,  had  I  taken  advantage 
of  my  situation  for  such  a  purpose." 

"Your  notions  are  those  of  a  gentleman,  Major  Heyward, 
and  well  enough  in  their  place.  But  Cora  Munro  is  a  maiden 
too  discreet,  and  of  a  mind  too  elevated  and  improved,  to  need  the 
guardianship  even  of  a  father." 

"Coral" 

"Ay — Cora!  we  are  talking  of  your  pretensions  to  Miss 
Munro,  are  we  not,  sir?" 

"I — I — I  was  not  conscious  of  having  mentioned  her  name," 
said  Duncan,  stammering. 

"And  to  marry  whom,  then,  did  you  wish  my  consent,  Major 
Heyward?"  demanded  the  old  soldier,  erecting  himself  in  the 
dignity  of  offended  feeling. 

"You  have  another,  and  not  less  lovely  child." 
Alice!"  exclaimed  the  father,-  in  an  astonishment  equal  to 
that  with  which  Duncan  had  just  repeated  the  name  of  her  sister. 

"Such  was  the  direction  of  my  wishes,  sir." 

The  'young  man  awaited  in  silence  the  result  of  the  extraor 
dinary  effect  produced  by  a  communication  which,  as  it  now 
appeared,  was  so  unexpected.  For  several  minutes  Munro  paced 
the  chamber  with  long  and  rapid  strides,  his  rigid  features  work 
ing  convulsively,  and  every  faculty  seemingly  absorbed  in  the 
musings  of  his  own  mind.  At  length,  he  paused  directly  in  front 
of  Heyward,  and  riveting  his  eyes  upon  those  of  the  other,  he  said, 
with  a  lip  that  quivered  violently,— 

"Duncan  Heyward,  I  have  loved  you  for  the  sake  of  him 
whose  blood  is  in  your  veins;  I  have  loved  you  for  your  own  good 
qualities ;  and  I  have  loved  you,  because  I  thought  you  would  con 
tribute  to  the  happiness  of  my  child.  But  all  this  love  would 
turn  to  hatred,  were  I  assured  that  what  I  so  much  apprehend 
is  true." 

"God  forbid  that  any  act  or  thought  of  mine  should  lead  to 
such  a  change!"  exclaimed  the  young  man,  whose  eye  never 
quailed  under  the  penetrating  look  it  encountered.  Without  ad 
verting  the  impossibility  of  the  other's  comprehending  those  feel 
ings  which  were  hid  in  his  own  bosom,  Munro  suffered  himself  to 
be  appeased  by  the  unaltered  countenance  he  met,  and  with  a 
voice  sensibly  softened,  he  continued,— 

"You  would  be  my  son,  Duncan,  and  you're  ignorant  of  the 
history  of  the  man  you  wish  to  call  your  father.  Sit  ye  down, 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  163 

young  man,  and  I  will  open  to  you  the  wounds  of  a  seared  heart, 
in  as  few  words  as  may  be  suitable." 

By  this  time,  the  message  of  Montcalm  was  as  much  forgotten 
by  him  who  bore  it  as  by  the  man  for  whose  ears  it  was  intended. 
Each  drew  a  chair,  and  while  the  veteran  communed  a  few  mo 
ments  with  his  own  thoughts,  apparently  in  sadness,  the  youth 
suppressed  his  impatience  in  a  look  and  attitude  of  respectful 
attention.  At  length  the  former  spoke : — 

"You'll  know,  already,  Major  Hey  ward,  that  my  family  was 
both  ancient  and  honorable,"  commenced  the  Scotsman;  "though 
it  might' not  altogether  be  endowed  with  that  amount  of  wealth 
that  should  correspond  with  its  degree.  I  was,  may  be,  such  an 
one  as  yourself  when  I  plighted  my  faith  to  Alice  Graham,  the 
only  child  of  a  neighboring  laird  of  some  estate.  But  the  con 
nection  was  disagreeable  to  her  father,  on  more  accounts  than  my 
poverty.  I  did  therefore  what  an  honest  man  should — -restored 
the  maiden  her  troth,  and  departed  the  country  in  the  service  of 
my  king.  I  had  seen  many  regions,  and  had  shed  much  blood  in 
different  lands,  before  duty  called  me  to  the  islands  of  the  West 
Indies.  There  it  was  my  lot  to  form  a  connection  with  one  who  in 
time  became  my  wife,  and  the  mother  of  Cora.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  a  gentleman  of  those  isles,  by  a  lady  whose  misfortune 
it  was,  if  you  will,"  said  the  old  man,  proudly,  "to  be  descended, 
remotely,  from  that  unfortunate  class  who  are  so  basely  enslaved 
to  administer  to  the  wants  of  a  luxurious  people.  Ay,  sir,  that  is 
a  curse  entailed  on  Scotland  by  her  unnatural  union  with  a  foreign 
and  trading  people.  But  could  I  find  a  man  among  them  who 
would  dare  to  reflect  on  my  child,  he  should  feel  the  weight  of  a 
father's  anger!  Ha!  Major  Hey  ward,  you  are  yourself  born  at 
the  south,  where  these  unfortunate  beings  are  considered  of  a  race 
inferior  to  your  own." 

'Tis  most  unfortunately  true,  sir,"  said  Duncan,  unable  any 
longer  to  prevent  his  eyes  from  sinking  to  the  floor  in  em 
barrassment. 

"And  you  cast  it  on  my  child  as  a  reproach!  You  scorn  to 
mingle  the  blood  of  the  Heywards  with  one  so  degraded — lovely 
and  virtuous  though  she  be?"  fiercely  demanded  the  jealous 
parent. 

"Heaven  protect  me  from  a  prejudice  so  unworthy  of  my 
reason!"  returned  Duncan,  at  the  same  time  conscious  of  such  a 
feeling,  and  that  as  deeply  rooted  as  if  it  had  been  ingrafted  in 


164  THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS 

his  nature.  "The  sweetness,  the  beauty,  the  witchery  01  your 
younger  daughter,  Colonel  Munro,  might  explain  my  motives, 
without  imputing  to  me  this  injustice." 

"Ye  are  right,  sir,"  returned  the  old  man,  again  changing  his 
tones  to  those  of  gentleness,  or  rather  softness;  "the  girl  is  the 
image  of  what  her  mother  was  at  her  years,  and  before  she  had 
become  acquainted  with  grief.  When  death  deprived  me  of  my 
wife  I  returned  to  Scotland,  enriched  by  the  marriage;  and  would 
you  think  it,  Duncan!  the  suffering  angel  had  remained  in  the 
heartless  state  of  celibacy  twenty  long  years,  and  that  for  the 
sake  of  a  man  who  could  forget  her !  She  did  more,  sir ;  she  over 
looked  my  want  of  faith,  and  all  difficulties  being  now  removed, 
she  took  me  for  her  husband." 

"And  became  the  mother  of  Alice?"  exclaimed  Duncan,  with 
an  eagerness  that  might  have  proved  dangerous  at  a  moment 
when  the  thoughts  of  Munro  were  less  occupied  than  at  present. 

"She  did,  indeed,"  said  the  old  man,  "and  dearly  did  she  pay 
for  the  blessing  she  bestowed.  But  she  is  a  saint  in  heaven,  sir; 
and  it  ill  becomes  one  whose  foot  rests  on  the  grave  to  mourn  a 
lot  so  blessed.  I  had  her  but  a  single  year,  though ;  a  short  term 
of  happiness*  for  one  who  had  seen  her  youth  fade  in  hopeless 
pining." 

There  was  something  so  commanding  in  the  distress  of  the 
old  man,  that  Heyward  did  not  dare  to  venture  a  syllable  of  con 
solation.  Munro  sat  utterly  unconscious  of  the  other's  presence, 
his  features  exposed  and  working  with  the  anguish  of  his  regrets, 
while  heavy  tears  fell  from  his  eyes,  and  rolled  unheeded  from  his 
cheeks  to  the  floor.  At  length  he  moved,  as  if  suddenly  recovering 
his  recollection ;  when  he  arose,  and  taking  a  single  turn  across  the 
room,  he  approached  his  companion  with  an  air  of  military 
grandeur,  and  demanded,— 

"Have  you  not,  Major  Heyward,  some  communication  that 
I  should  hear  from  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm?" 

Duncan  started,  in  his  turn,  and  immediately  commenced, 
in  an  embarrassed  voice,  the  half-forgotten  message.  It  is  unnec 
essary  to  dwell  upon  the  evasive,  though  polite  manner,  with 
which  the  French  general  had  eluded  every  attempt  of  Heyward 
to  worm  from  him  the  purport  of  the  communication  he  had  pro 
posed  making,  or  on  the  decided,  though  still  polished  message, 
by  which  he  now  gave  his  enemy  to  understand,  that  unless  he 
chose  to  receive  it  in  person,  he  should  not  receive  it  at  all.  As 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  165 

Munro  listened  to  the  detail  of  Duncan,  the  excited  feelings  of 
the  father  gradually  gave  way  before  the  obligations  of  his  sta 
tion,  and  when  the  other  was  done,  he  saw  before  him  nothing 
but  the  veteran,  swelling  with  the  wounded  feelings  of  a  soldier. 

"You  have  said  enough,  Major  Heyward!"  exclaimed  the 
angry  old  man:  "enough  to  make  a  volume  of  commentary  on 
French  civility.  Here  has  this  gentleman  invited  me  to  a  con 
ference,  and  when  I  send  him  a  capable  substitute,  for  ye're  all 
that,  Duncan,  though  your  years  are  but  few,  he  answers  me 
with  a  riddle." 

"He  may  have  thought  less  favorably  of  the  substitute,  my 
dear  sir ;  and  you  will  remember  that  the  invitation,  which  he  now 
repeats,  was  to  the  commandant  of  the  works,  and  not  to  his 
second." 

"Well,  sir,  is  not  a  substitute  clothed  with  all  the  power  and 
dignity  of  him  who  grants  the  commission?  He  wishes  to  confer 
with  Munro!  Faith,  sir,  I  have  much  inclination  to  indulge  the 
man,  if  it  should  only  be  to  let  him  behold  the  firm  countenance 
we  maintain  in  spite  of  his  'numbers  and  his  summons.  There 
might  be  no  bad  policy  in  such  a  stroke,  young  man." 

Duncan,  who  believed  it  of  the  last  importance  that  they 
should  speedily  come  at  the  contents  of  the  letter  borne  by  the 
scout,  gladly  encouraged  this  idea. 

"Without  doubt,  he  could  gather  no  confidence  by  witnessing 
our  indifference,"  he  said. 

"You  never  said  truer  word.  I  could  wish,  sir,  that  he  would 
visit  the  works  in  open  day,  and  in  the  form  of  a  storming  party : 
that  is  the  least  failing  method  of  proving  the  countenance  of  an 
enemy,  and  would  be  far  preferable  to  the  battering  system  he 
has  chosen.  The  beauty  and  manliness  of  warfare  has  been  much 
deformed,  Major  Heyward,  by  the  arts  of  your  Monsieur  Vau- 
ban.  Our  ancestors  were  far  above  such  scientific  cowardice!" 

"It  may  be  very  true,  sir;  but  we  are  now  obliged  to  repel  art 
by  art.  What  is  your  pleasure  in  the  matter  of  the  interview?" 

"I  will  meet  the  Frenchman,  and  that  without  fear  or  delay; 
promptly,-  sir,  as  becomes  a  servant  of  my  royal  master.  Go, 
Major  Heyward,  and  give  them  a  flourish  of  the  music;  and  send 
out  a  messenger  to  let  them  know  who  is  coming.  We  will  follow 
with  a  small  guard,  for  such  respect  is  due  to  one  who  holds  the 
honor  of  his  king  in  keeping;  and  harkee,  Duncan,"  he  added, 
in  a  half  whisper,  though  they  were  alone,  "it  may  be  prudent  to 


166  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

have  some  aid  at  hand,  in  case  there  should  be  treachery  at  the 
bottom  of  it  all." 

The  young  man  availed  himself  of  this  order  to  quit  the  apart 
ment;  and,  as  the  day  was  fast  coming  to  a  close,  he  hastened, 
without  delay,  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements.  A  very 
few  minutes  only  were  necessary  to  parade  a  few  files,  and 
to  despatch  an  orderly  with  a  flag  to  announce  the  approach  of 
the  commandant  of  the  fort.  When  Duncan  had  done  both 
these,  he  led  the  guard  to  the  sally-port,  near  which  he  found 
his  superior  ready,  waiting  his  appearance.  As  soon  as  the 
usual  ceremonials  of  a  military  departure  were  observed,  the 
veteran  and  his  more  youthful  companion  left  the  fortress,  at 
tended  by  the  escort. 

They  had  proceeded  only  a  hundred  yards  from  the  works, 
when  the  little  array  which  attended  the  French  general  to  the 
conference,  was  seen  issuing  from  the  hollow  way,  which  formed 
the  bed  of  a  brook  that  ran  between  the  batteries  of  the  besiegers 
and  the  fort.  From  the  moment  that  Munro  left  his  own  works 
to  appear  in  front  of  his  enemies,  his  air  had  been  grand,  and  his 
step  and  countenance  highly  military.  The  instant  he  caught 
a  glimpse  of  the  white  plume  that  waved  in  the  hat  of  Montcalm, 
his  eye  lighted,  and  age  no  longer  appeared  to  possess  any  influ 
ence  over  his  vast  and  still  muscular  person. 

"Speak  to  the  boys  to  be  watchful,  sir,"  he  said,  in  an  under 
tone,  to  Duncan;  "and  to  look  well  to  their  flints  and  steel,  for 
one  is  never  safe  with  a  servant  of  these  Louises ;  at  the  same  time, 
we  will  show  them  the  front  of  men  in  deep  security.  Ye'll  under 
stand  me,  Major  Hey  ward  1" 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  clamor  of  a  drum  from  the  ap 
proaching  Frenchmen,  which  was  immediately  answered,  when 
each  party  pushed  an  orderly  in  advance,  bearing  a  white  flag, 
and  the  wary  Scotsman  halted,  with  his  guard  close  at  his  back. 
As  soon  as  this  slight  salutation  had  passed,  Montcalm  moved 
towards  them  with  a  quick  but  graceful  step,  baring  his  head  to 
the  veteran,  and  dropping  his  spotless  plume  nearly  to  the  earth 
in  courtesy.  If  the  air  of  Munro  was  more  commanding  and 
manly,  it  wanted  both  the  ease  and  insinuating  polish  of  that  of 
the  Frenchman.  Neither  spoke  for  a  few  moments,  each  regard 
ing  the  other  with  curious  and  interested  eyes.  Then,  as  became 
his  superior  rank  and  the  nature  of  the  interview,  Montcalm 
broke  the  silence.  After  uttering  the  usual  words  of  greeting,  he 


Copyright  by  Charles  Scrtbner's  So 


THE  MEETING  OF   THE   GENERALS 

As  soon  as  this  slight  salutation  had  posset/,  Montcalm 
moved  towards  them  with  a  quicff  hut  graceful  step, 
baring  his  head  to  the  veteran,  and  dropping  his  spotless 
plume  nearly  to  the  earth  in  courtesy 


Copyright  by  Charles  Scriiiner'i  Son 


THE  MEETING  OF  THE  GENERALS 

As  soon  as  this  slight  salutation  had  Dassta1,  .\fonlcalm 
moved  towards  them  u'ith  a  quick  bui  graceful  step, 
baring  his  head  In  the  itteran,  and  dropping  his  spol/ess 
plume  nearly  to  the  earth  in  courtesy 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  1G7 

turned  to  Duncan,  and  continued  with  a  smile  of  recognition, 
speaking  always  in  French,— 

"I  am  rejoiced,  monsieur,  that  you  have  given  us  the  pleasure 
of  your  company  on  this  occasion.  There  will  be  no  necessity  to 
employ  an  ordinary  interpreter;  for,  in  your  hands,  I  feel  the 
same  security  as  if  I  spoke  your  language  myself." 

Duncan  acknowledged  the  compliment,  when  Montcalm,  turn 
ing  to  his  guard,  which,  in  imitation  of  that  of  their  enemies, 
pressed  close  upon  him,  continued,— 

"En  arriere,  mes  enfans — il  fait  chaud;  retirez-vous  un  peu." 

Before  Major  Heyward  would  imitate  this  proof  of  confi 
dence,  he  glanced  his  eyes  around  the  plain,  and  beheld  with 
uneasiness  the  numerous  dusky  groups  of  savages,  who  looked 
out  from  the  margin  of  the  surrounding  woods,  curious  spec 
tators  of  the  interview. 

"Monsieur  de  Montcalm  will  readily  acknowledge  the  differ 
ence  in  our  situation,"  he  said,  with  some  embarrassment,  point 
ing  at  the  same  time  towards  those  dangerous  foes,  who  were  to 
be  seen  in  almost  every  direction.  "Were  we  to  dismiss  our  guard, 
we  should  stand  here  at  the  mercy  of  our  enemies." 

"Monsieur,  you  have  the  plighted  faith  of  un  gentilhomme 
Franfais,  for  your  safety,"  returned  Montcalm,  laying  his  hand 
impressively  on  his  heart;  "it  should  suffice." 

"It  shall.  Fall  back,"  Duncan  added  to  the  officer  who  led 
the  escort ;  "fall  back,  sir,  beyond  hearing,  and  wait  for  orders." 

Munro  witnessed  this  movement  with  manifest  uneasiness; 
nor  did  he  fail  to  demand  an  instant  explanation. 

"Is  it  not  our  interest,  sir,  to  betray  no  distrust?"  retorted 
Duncan.  "Monsieur  de  Montcalm  pledges  his  word  for  our 
safety,  and  I  have  ordered  the  men  to  withdraw  a  little,  in  order 
to  prove  how  much  we  depend  on  his  assurance." 

"It  may  be  all  right,  sir,  but  I  have  no  overweening  reliance 
on  the  faith  of  these  marquesses,  or  marquis,  as  they  call  them 
selves.  Their  patents  of  nobility  are  too  common  to  be  certain 
that  they  bear  the  seal  of  true  honor." 

"You  forget,  dear  sir,  that  we  confer  with  an  officer  dis 
tinguished  alike  in  Europe  and  America  for  his  deeds.  From  a 
soldier  of  his  reputation  we  can  have  nothing  to  apprehend." 

The  old  man  made  a  gesture  of  resignation,  though  his  rigid 
features  still  betrayed  his  obstinate  adherence  to  a  distrust,  which 
he  derived  from  a  sort  of  hereditary  contempt  of  his  enemy,  rather 


168  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

than  from  any  present  signs  which  might  warrant  so  uncharitable 
a  feeling.  Montcalm  waited  patiently  until  this  little  dialogue 
in  demi-voice  was  ended,  when  he  drew  nigher,  and  opened  the 
subject  of  their  conference. 

"I  have  solicited  this  interview  from  your  superior,  monsieur," 
he  said,  "because  I  believe  he  will  allow  himself  to  be  persuaded 
that  he  has  already  done  everything  which  is  necessary  for  the 
honor  of  his  prince,  and  will  not  listen  to  the  admonitions  of 
humanity.  I  will  forever  bear  testimony  that  his  resistance  has 
been  gallant,  and  was  continued  as  long  as  there  was  hope." 

When  this  opening  was  translated  to  Munro,  he  answered 
with  dignity,  but  with  sufficient  courtesy,— 

"However  I  may  prize  such  testimony  from  Monsieur  Mont- 
calm,  it  will  be  more  valuable  when  it  shall  be  better  merited." 

The  French  general  smiled,  as  Duncan  gave  him  the  purport 
of  this  reply,  and  observed,— 

"What  is  now  so  freely  accorded  to  approved  courage,  may 
be  refused  to  useless  obstinacy.  Monsieur  would  wish  to  see  my 
camp,  and  witness,  for  himself,  our  numbers,  and  the  impossi 
bility  of  his  resisting  them,  with  success?" 

"I  know  that  the  king  of  France  is  well  served,"  returned  the 
unmoved  Scotsman,  as  soon  as  Duncan  ended  his  translation; 
"but  my  own  royal  master  has  as  many  and  as  faithful  troops." 

"Though  not  at  hand,  fortunately  for  us,"  said  Montcalm, 
without  waiting,  in  his  ardor,  for  the  interpreter.  "There  is  a 
destiny  in  war,  to  which  a  brave  man  knows  how  to  submit,  with 
the  same  courage  that  he  faces  his  foes." 

"Had  I  been  conscious  that  Monsieur  Montcalm  was  master 
of  the  English,  I  should  have  spared  myself  the  trouble  of  so 
awkward  a  translation,"  said  the  vexed  Duncan,  dryly;  remem 
bering  instantly  his  recent  by-play  with  Munro. 

"Your  pardon,  monsieur,"  rejoined  the  Frenchman,  suffering 
a  slight  color  to  appear  on  his  dark  cheek.  "There  is  a  vast  differ 
ence  between  understanding  and  speaking  a  foreign  tongue ;  you 
will,  therefore,  please  to  assist  me  still."  Then  after  a  short 
pause,  he  added,  "These  hills  afford  us  every  opportunity  of 
reconnoitring  your  works,  messieurs,  and  I  am  possibly  as  well 
acquainted  with  their  weak  condition  as  you  can  be  yourselves." 

"Ask  the  French  general  if  his  glasses  can  reach  to  the  Hud 
son,"  said  Munro,  proudly;  "and  if  he  knows  when  and  where  to 
expect  the  army  of  Webb." 


.       THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  169 

"Let  General  Webb  be  his  own  interpreter,"  returned  the 
politic  Montcalm,  suddenly  extending  an  open  letter  towards 
Munro,  as  he  spoke;  "you  will  there  learn,  monsieur,  that  his 
movements  are  not  likely  to  prove  embarrassing  to  my  army." 

The  veteran  seized  the  offered  paper,  without  waiting  for 
Duncan  to  translate  the  speech,  and  with  an  eagerness  that  be 
trayed  how  important  he  deemed  its  contents.  As  his  eye  passed 
hastily  over  the  words,  his  countenance  changed  from  its  look  of 
military  pride  to  one  of  deep  chagrin:  his  lip  began  to  quiver; 
and,  suffering  the  paper  to  fall  from  his  hand,  his  head,  dropped 
upon  his  chest,  like  that  of  a  man  whose  hopes  were  withered  at 
a  single  blow.  Duncan  caught  the  letter  from  the  ground,  and 
without  apology  for  the  liberty  he  took,  he  read  at  a  glance  its 
cruel  purport.  Their  common  superior,  so  far  from  encouraging 
them  to  resist,  advised  a  speedy  surrender,  urging  in  the  plainest 
language  as  a  reason,  the  utter  impossibility  of  his  sending  a 
single  man  to  their  rescue. 

"Here  is  no  deception!"  exclaimed  Duncan,  examining  the 
billet  both  inside  and  out;  "this  is  the  signature  of  Webb,  and 
must  be  the  captured  letter." 

"The  man  has  betrayed  me!"  Munro  at  length  bitterly  ex 
claimed:  "he  has  brought  dishonor  to  the  door  of  one  where  dis 
grace  was  never  before  known  to  dwell,  and  shame  has  he  heaped 
heavily  on  my  gray  hairs." 

"Say  not  so,"  cried  Duncan;  "we  are  yet  masters  of  the  fort, 
and  of  our  honor.  Let  us  then  sell  our  lives  at  such  a  rate  as  shall 
make  our  enemies  believe  the  purchase  too  dear." 

"Boy,  I  thank  thee,"  exclaimed  the  old  man,  rousing  him 
self  from  his  stupor;  "you  have,  for  once,  reminded  Munro  of  his 
duty.  We  will  go  back,  and  dig  our  graves  behind  those  ram 
parts." 

"Messieurs,"  said  Montcalm,  advancing  towards  them  a  step, 
in  generous  interest,  "you  little  know  Louis  de  St.  Veran,  if  you 
believe  him  capable  of  profiting  by  this  letter  to  humble  brave 
men,  or  to  build  up  a  dishonest  reputation  for  himself.  Listen  to 
my  terms  before  you  leave  me." 

"What  says  the  Frenchman?"  demanded  the  veteran,  sternly; 
"does  he  make  a  merit  of  having  captured  a  scout,  with  a  note 
from  headquarters?  Sir,  he  had  better  raise  this  siege,  to  go  and 
sit  down  before  Edward  if  he  wishes  to  frighten  his  enemy  with 
words." 


172  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

watch  nearest  to  the  works  of  the  enemy.    As  he  approached  he 
was  received  with  the  usual  challenge,— 

"Qui  vive?" 

"France,"  was  the  reply. 

"Lemotd'ordre?" 

"La  victoire,"  said  the  other,  drawing  so  nigh  as  to  be  heard 
in  a  loud  whisper. 

"C'est  bien,"  returned  the  sentinel,  throwing  his  musket  from 
the  charge  to  his  shoulder;  "vous  vous  promenez  bien  matin, 
monsieur!" 

"II  est  necessaire  d'etre  vigilant,  mon  enfant,"  the  other  ob 
served,  dropping  a  fold  of  his  cloak,  and  looking  the  soldier  close 
in  the  face,  as  he  passed  him,  still  continuing  his  way  towards  the 
British  fortification.  The  man  started;  his  arms  rattled  heavily, 
as  he  threw  them  forward,  in  the  lowest  and  most  respectful 
salute;  and  when  he  had  again  recovered  his  piece,  he  turned  to 
walk  his  post,  muttering  between  his  teeth, — 

"II  faut  etre  vigilant,  en  verite!  je  crois  que  nous  avons  la,  un 
caporal  qui  ne  dort  jamais!" 

The  officer  proceeded,  without  affecting  to  hear  the  words 
which  escaped  the  sentinel  in  his  surprise;  nor  did  he  again  pause 
until  he  had  reached  the  low  strand,  and  in  a  somewhat  dangerous 
vicinity  to  the  western  water  bastion  of  the  fort.  The  light  of  an 
obscure  moon  was  just  sufficient  to  render  objects,  though  dim, 
perceptible  in  their  outlines.  He,  therefore,  took  the  precaution 
to  place  himself  against  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  where  he  leaned  for 
many  minutes,  and  seemed  to  contemplate  the  dark  and  silent 
mounds  of  the  English  works  in  profound  attention.  His  gaze 
at  the  ramparts  was  not  that  of  a  curious  or  idle  spectator;  but 
his  looks  wandered  from  point  to  point,  denoting  his  knowledge 
of  military  usages,  and  betraying  that  his  search  was  not  unac 
companied  by  distrust.  At  length  he  appeared  satisfied;  and  hav 
ing  cast  his  eyes  impatiently  upwards  towards  the  summit  of  the 
eastern  mountain,  as  if  anticipating  the  approach  of  the  morning, 
he  was  in  the  act  of  turning  on  his  footsteps,  when  a  light  sound 
on  the  nearest  angle  of  the  bastion  caught  his  ear,  and  induced 
him  to  remain. 

Just  then  a  figure  was  seen  to  approach  the  edge  of  the  ram 
part,  where  it  stood,  apparently  contemplating  in  its  turn  the  dis 
tant  tents  of  the  French  encampment.  Its  head  was  then  turned 
towards  the  east,  as  though  equally  anxious  for  the  appearance 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  173 

of  light,  when  the  form  leaned  against  the  mound,  and  seemed 
to  gaze  upon  the  glassy  expanse  of  the  waters,  which,  like  a  sub 
marine  firmament,  glittered  with  its  thousand  mimic  stars.  The 
melancholy  air,  the  hour,  together  with  the  vast  frame  of  the  man 
who  thus  leaned,  in  musing,  against  the  English  ramparts,  left 
no  doubt  as  to  his  person,  in  the  mind  of  his  observant  spectator. 
Delicacy,  no  less  than  prudence,  now  urged  him  to  retire ;  and  he 
had  moved  cautiously  round  the  body  of  the  tree  for  that  pur 
pose,  when  another  sound  drew  his  attention,  and  once  more 
arrested  his  footsteps.  It  was  a  low  and  almost  inaudible  move 
ment  of  the  water,  and  was  succeeded  by  a  grating  of  pebbles  one 
against  the  other.  In  a  moment  he  saw  a  dark  form  rise,  as  it 
were  out  of  the  lake,  and  steal  without  further  noise  to  the  land, 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  place  where  he  himself  stood.  A  rifle  next 
slowly  rose  between  his  eyes  and  the  watery  mirror;  but  before  it 
could  be  discharged  his  own  hand  was  on  the  lock. 

"Hugh!"  exclaimed  the  savage,  whose  treacherous  aim  was  so 
singularly  and  so  unexpectedly  interrupted. 

Without  making  any  reply,  the  French  officer  laid  his  hand 
on  the  shoulder  of  the  Indian,  and  led  him  in  profound  silence 
to  a  distance  from  the  spot,  where  their  subsequent  dialogue  might 
have  proved  dangerous,  and  where  it  seemed  that  one  of  them,  at 
least,  sought  a  victim.  Then,  throwing  open  his  cloak,  so  as  to 
expose  his.  uniform  and  the  cross  of  St.  Louis  which  was  sus 
pended  at  his  breast,  Montcalm  sternly  demanded,— 

"What  means  this!  Does  not  my  son  know  that  the  hatchet 
is  buried  between  the  English  and  his  Canadian  Father?" 

"What  can  the  Hurons  do?"  returned  the  savage,  speaking 
also,  though  imperfectly,  in  the  French  language.  "Not  a  war 
rior  has  a  scalp,  and  the  pale-faces  make  friends  1" 

"Ha!  Le  Renard  Subtil!  Methinks  this  is  an  excess  of  zeal 
for  a  friend  who  was  so  late  an  enemy!  How  man}*-  suns  have 
set  since  Le  Renard  struck  the  war-post  of  the  English?" 

"Where  is  that  sun!"  demanded  the  sullen  savage.  "Behind 
the  hill;  and  it  is  dark  and  cold.  But  when  he  comes  again,  it  will 
be  bright  and  warm.  Le  Subtil  is  the  sun  of  his  tribe.  There 
have  been  clouds,  and  many  mountains  between  him  and  his  na 
tion;  but  now  he  shines,  and  it  is  a  clear  sky!" 

"That  Le  Renard  has  power  with  his  people,  I  well  know," 
said  Montcalm;  "for  yesterday  he  hunted  for  their  scalps,  and 
to-day  they  hear  him  at  the  council-fire." 


174  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Magua  is  a  great  chief." 

"Let  him  prove  it,  by  teaching  his  nation  how  to  conduct  itself 
towards  our  new  friends." 

"Why  did  the  chief  of  the  Canadas  bring  his  young  men  into 
the  woods,  and  fire  his  cannon  at  the  earthen  house?"  demanded 
the  subtle  Indian. 

"To  subdue  it.  My  master  owns  the  land,  and  your  father  has 
been  ordered  to  drive  off  these  English  squatters.  They  have  con 
sented  to  go,  and  now  he  calls  them  enemies  no  longer." 

"  'Tis  well.  Magua  took  the  hatchet  to  color  it  with  blood. 
It  is  now  bright;  when  it  is  red,  it  shall  be  buried." 

"But  Magua  is  pledged  not  to  sully  the  lilies  of  France.  The 
enemies  of  the  great  king  across  the  salt  lake  are  his  enemies ;  his 
friends,  the  friends  of  the  Hurons." 

"Friends!"  repeated  the  Indian,  in  scorn.  "Let  his  father 
give  Magua  a  hand." 

Montcahn,  who  felt  that  his  influence  over  the  warlike  tribes 
he  had  gathered  was  to  be  maintained  by  concession  rather  than 
by  power,  complied  reluctantly  with  the  other's  request.  The 
savage  placed  the  finger  of  the  French  commander  on  a  deep  scar 
in  his  bosom,  and  then  exultingly  demanded, — 

"Does  my  father  know  that?" 

"What  warrior  does  not?  'tis  where  a  leaden  bullet  has  cut." 

"And  this?"  continued  the  Indian,  who  had  turned  his  naked 
back  to  the  other,  his  body  being  without  its  usual  calico  mantle. 

"This! — my  son  has  been  sadly  injured,  here;  who  has  done 
this?" 

"Magua  slept  hard  in  the  English  wigwams,  and  the  sticks 
have  left  their  mark,"  returned  the  savage,  with  a  hollow  laugh, 
which  did  not  conceal  the  fierce  temper  that  nearly  choked  him. 
Then  recollecting  himself,  with  sudden  and  native  dignity,  he 
added,  "Go;  teach  your  young  men,  it  is  peace.  Le  Renard 
Subtil  knows  how  to  speak  to  a  Huron  warrior." 

Without  deigning  to  bestow  further  words,  or  to  wait  for  any 
answer,  the  savage  cast  his  rifle  into  the  hollow  of  his  arm,  and 
moved  silently  through  the  encampment  towards  the  woods  where 
his  own  tribe  was  known  to  lie.  Every  few  yards  as  he  proceeded 
he  was  challenged  by  the  sentinels ;  but  he  stalked  sullenly  onward, 
utterly  disregarding  the  summons  of  the  soldiers,  who  only  spared 
his  life  because  they  knew  the  air  and  tread  no  less  than  the  ob 
stinate  daring  of  an  Indian. 


THE    LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  175 

Montcalm  lingered  long  and  melancholy  on  the  strand,  where 
he  had  been  left  by  his  companion,  brooding  deeply  on  the  temper 
which  his  ungovernable  ally  had  just  discovered.  Already  had 
his  fair  fame  been  tarnished  by  one  horrid  scene,  and  in  circum 
stances  fearfully  resembling  those  under  which  he  now  found  him 
self.  As  lie  mused  he  became  keenly  sensible  of  the  deep  responsi 
bility  they  assume  who  disregard  the  means  to  attain  their  end, 
and  of  all  the  danger  of  setting  in  motion  an  engine  which  it  ex 
ceeds  human  power  to  control.  Then  shaking  off  a  train  of  re 
flections  that  he  accounted  a  weakness  in  such  a  moment  of  tri 
umph,  he  retraced  his  steps  towards  his  tent,  giving  the  order  as 
he  passed,  to  make  the  signal  that  should  arouse  the  army  from 
its  slumbers. 

The  first  tap  of  the  French  drums  was  echoed  from  the  bosom 
of  the  fort,  and  presently  the  valley  was  filled  with  the  strains 
of  martial  music,  rising  long,  thrilling,  and  lively  above  the  rat 
tling  accompaniment.  The  horns  of  the  victors  sounded  merry 
and  cheerful  flourishes,  until  the  last  laggard  of  the  camp  was  at 
his  post;  but  the  instant  the  British  fifes  had  blown  their  shrill 
signal,  they  became  mute.  In  the  meantime  the  day  had  dawned, 
and  when  the  line  of  the  French  army  was  ready  to  receive  its 
general,  the  rays  of  a  brilliant  sun  were  glancing  along  the  glit 
tering  array.  Then  that  success,  which  was  already  so  well 
known,  was  officially  announced;  the  favored  band  who  were 
selected  to  guard  the  gates  of  the  fort  were  detailed,  and  defiled 
before  their  chief ;  the  signal  of  their  approach  was  given,  and  all 
the  usual  preparations  for  a  change  of  masters  were  ordered  and 
executed  directly  under  the  guns  of  the  contested  works. 

A  very  different  scene  presented  itself  within  the  lines  of  the 
Anglo-American  army.  As  soon  as  the  warning  signal  was 
given,  it  exhibited  all  the  signs  of  a  hurried  and  forced  departure. 
The  sullen  soldiers  shouldered  their  empty  tubes  and  fell  into 
their  places,  like  men  whose  blood  had  been  heated  by  the  past 
contest,  and  who  only  desired  the  opportunity  to  revenge  an 
indignity  which  was  still  wounding  to  their  pride,  concealed  as  it 
was  under  all  the  observances  of  military  etiquette.  Women  and 
children  ran  from  place  to  place,  some  bearing  the  scanty  rem 
nants  of  their  baggage,  and  others  searching  in  the  ranks  for 
those  countenances  they  looked  up  to  for  protection. 

Mum-?-  appeared  among  his  silent  troops  firm  but  dejected. 
It  was  evident  that  the  unexpected  blow  had  struck  deep  into  his 


176  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOPIICANS 

heart,  though  he  struggled  to  sustain  his  misfortune  with  the 
port  of  man. 

Duncan  was  touched  at  the  quiet  and  impressive  exhibition 
of  his  grief.  He  had  discharged  his  own  duty,  and  he  now 
pressed  to  the  side  of  the  old  man,  to  know  in  what  particular  he 
might  serve  him. 

"My  daughters,"  was  the  hrief  but  expressive  reply. 

"Good  heavens!  are  not  arrangements  already  made  for  their 
convenience?" 

"To-day  I  am  only  a  soldier,  Major  Hey  ward,"  said  the 
veteran.  "All  that  you  see  here,  claim  alike  to  be  my  children." 

Duncan  had  heard  enough.  Without  losing  one  of  those 
moments  which  had  now  become  so  precious,  he  flew  towards  the 
quarters  of  Munro,  in  quest  of  the  sisters.  He  found  them  on 
the  threshold  of  the  low  edifice,  already  prepared  to  depart,  and 
surrounded  by  a  clamorous  and  weeping  assemblage  of  their  own 
sex,  that  had  gathered  about  the  place,  with  a  sort  of  instinctive 
consciousness  that  it  was  the  point  most  likely  to  be  protected. 
Though  the  cheeks  of  Cora  were  pale,  and  her  countenance  anx 
ious,  she  had  lost  none  of  her  firmness ;  but  the  eyes  of  Alice  were 
inflamed,  and  betrayed  how  long  and  bitterly  she  had  wept. 
They  both,  however,  received  the  young  man  with  undisguised 
pleasure;  the  former,  for  a  novelty,  being  the  first  to  speak. 

"The  fort  is  lost,"  she  said,  with  a  melancholy  smile;  "though 
our  good  name,  I  trust,  remains." 

'Tis  brighter  than  ever.  But,  dearest  Miss  Munro,  it  is  time 
to  think  less  of  others,  and  to  make  some  provision  for  yourself. 
Military  usage, — pride, — that  pride  on  which  you  so  much  value 
yourself,  demands  that  your  father  and  I  should  for  a  little  while 
continue  with  the  troops.  Then  where  to  seek  a  proper  protector 
for  you  against  the  confusion  and  chances  of  such  a  scene?" 

"None  is  necessary,"  returned  Cora;  "who  will  dare  to  injure 
or  insult  the  daughter  of  such  a  father,  at  a  time  like  this?" 

"I  would  not  leave  you  alone,"  continued  the  youth,  looking 
about  him  in  a  hurried  manner,  "for  the  command  of  the  best 
regiment  in  the  pay  of  the  king.  Remember,  our  Alice  is  not 
gifted  with  all  your  firmness,  and  God  only  knows  the  terror  she 
might  endure." 

"You  may  be  right,"  Cora  replied,  smiling  again,  but  far 
more  sadly  than  before.  "Listen!  chance  has  already  j^ent  us  a 
friend  when  he  is  most  needed." 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  177 

Duncan  did  listen,  and  on  the  instant  comprehended  her 
meaning.  The  low  and  serious  sounds  of  the  sacred  music,  so 
well  known  to  the  eastern  provinces,  caught  his  ear,  and  instantly 
drew  him  to  an  apartment  in  an  adjacent  building,  which  had 
already  been  deserted  by  its  customary  tenants.  There  he  found 
David,  pouring  out  his  pious  feelings,  through  the  only  medium 
in  which  he  ever  indulged.  Duncan  waited,  until,  by  the  cessa 
tion  of  the  movement  of  the  hand,  he  believed  the  strain  was 
ended,  when,  by  touching  his  shoulder,  he  drew  the  attention  of 
the  other  to  himself,  and  in  a  few  words  explained  his  wishes. 

"Even  so,"  replied  the  single-minded  disciple  of  the  King  of 
Israel,  when  the  young  man  had  ended;  "I  have  found  much  that 
is  comely  and  melodious  in  the  maidens,  and  it  is  fitting  that  we 
who  have  consorted  in  so  much  peril,  should  abide  together  in 
peace.  I  will  attend  them,  when  I  have  completed  my  morning 
praise,  to  which  nothing  is  now  wanting  but  the  doxology.  Wilt 
thou  bear  a  part,  friend?  The  metre  is  common,  and  the  tune, 
'Southwell.' ' 

Then,  extending  the  little  volume,  and  giving  the  pitch  of  the 
air  anew  with  considerate  attention,  David  recommenced  and 
finished  his  strains,  with  a  fixedness  of  manner  that  it  was  not 
easy  to  interrupt.  Heyward  was  fain  to  wait  until  the  verse  was 
ended ;  when,  seeing  David  relieving  himself  from  the  spectacles, 
and  replacing  the  book,  he  continued, — 

"It  will  be  your  duty  to  see  that  none  dare  to  approach  the 
ladies  with  any  rude  intention,  or  to  offer  insult  or  taunt  at  the 
misfortune  of  their  brave  father.  In  this  task  you  will  be  sec 
onded  by  the  domestics  of  their  household." 

"Even  so." 

"It  is  possible  that  the  Indians  and  stragglers  of  the  enemy 
may  intrude,  in  which  case  you  will  remind  them  of  the  terms  of 
the  capitulation,  and  threaten  to  report  their  conduct  to  Mont- 
calm.  A  word  will  suffice." 

"If  not,  I  have  that  here  which  shall,"  returned  David,  ex 
hibiting  his  book,  with  an  air  in  which  meekness  and  confidence 
were  singularly  blended.  "Here  are  words  which,  uttered,  or 
rather  thundered,  with  proper  emphasis,  and  in  measured  time, 
shall  quiet  the  most  unruly  temper:— 

'  'Why  rage  the  heathen  furiously!'  " — 

"Enough,"  said  Heyward,  interrupting  the  burst  of  his  musi- 


178  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

cal  invocation:  "we  understand  each  other;  it  is  time  that  we 
should  now  assume  our  respective  duties." 

Gamut  cheerfully  assented,  and  together  they  sought  the 
females.  Cora  received  her  new,  and  somewhat  extraordinary 
protector,  courteously  at  least;  and  even  the  pallid  features  of 
Alice  lighted  again  with  some  of  their  native  archness  as  she 
thanked  Heyward  for  his  care.  Duncan  took  occasion  to  assure 
them  he  had  done  the  best  that  circumstances  permitted,  and,  as 
he  believed,  quite  enough  for  the  security  of  their  feelings;  of 
danger  there  was  none.  He  then  spoke  gladly  of  his  intention  to 
rejoin  them  the  moment  he  had  led  the  advance  a  few  miles 
towards  the  Hudson,  and  immediately  took  his  leave. 

By  this  time  the  signal  of  departure  had  been  given,  and  the 
head  of  the  English  column  was  in  motion.  The  sisters  started 
at  the  sound,  and  glancing  their  eyes  around,  they  saw  the  white 
uniforms  of  the  French  grenadiers,  who  had  .already  taken  pos 
session  of  the  gates  of  the  fort.  At  that  moment,  an  enormous 
cloud  seemed  to  pass  suddenly  above  their  heads,  and  looking 
upward,  they  discovered  that  they  stood  beneath  the  wide  folds 
of  the  standard  of  France. 

"Let  us  go,"  said  Cora;  "this  is  no  longer  a  fit  place  for  the 
children  of  an  English  officer." 

Alice  clung  to  the  arm  of  her  sister,  and  together  they  left  the 
parade,  accompanied  by  the  moving  throng  that  surrounded 
them. 

As  they  passed  the  gates,  the  French  officers,  who  had  learned 
their  rank,  bowed  often  and  low,  forbearing,  however,  to  intrude 
those  attentions  which  they  saw,  with  peculiar  tact,  might  not  be 
agreeable.  As  every  vehicle  and  each  beast  of  burden  was  occu 
pied  by  the  sick  and  wounded,  Cora  had  decided  to  endure  the 
fatigues  of  a  foot  march,  rather  than  interfere  with  their  com 
forts.  Indeed,  many  a  maimed  and  feeble  soldier  v/as  compelled 
to  drag  his  exhausted  limbs  in  the  rear  of  the  columns,  for  the 
want  of  the  necessary  means  of  conveyance,  in  that  wilderness. 
The  whole,  however,  was  in  motion;  the  weak  and  wounded, 
groaning,  and  in  suffering;  their  comrades,  silent  and  sullen;  and 
the  women  and  children  in  terror,  they  knew  not  of  what. 

As  the  confused  and  timid  throng  left  the  protecting  mounds 
of  the  fort,  and  issued  on  the  open  plain,  the  whole  scene  was  at 
once  presented  to  their  eyes.  At  a  little  distance  on  the  right, 
and  somewhat  in  the  rear,  the  French  army  stood  to  their  arms, 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  179 

Montcalm  having  collected  his  parties,  so  soon  as  his  guards  had 
possession  of  the  works.  They  were  attentive  but  silent  observ 
ers  of  the  proceedings  of  the  vanquished,  failing  in  none  of  the 
stipulated  military  honors,  and  offering  no  taunt  or  insult,  in 
their  success,  to  their  less  fortunate  foes.  Living  masses  of  the 
English,  to  the  amount  in  the  whole  of  near  three  thousand,  were 
moving  slowly  across  the  plain,  towards  the  common  centre,  and 
gradually  approached  each  other,  as  they  converged  to  the  point 
of  their  march,  a  vista  cut  through  the  lofty  trees,  where  the  road 
to  the  Hudson  entered  the  forest.  Along  the  sweeping  borders 
of  the  woods,  hung  a  dark  cloud  of  savages,  eying  the  passage  of 
their  enemies,  and  hovering,  at  a  distance,  like  vultures,  who  were 
only  kept  from  swooping  on  their  prey,  by  the  presence  and  re 
straint  of  a  superior  army.  A  few  had  straggled  among  the 
conquered  columns,  where  they  stalked  in  sullen  discontent; 
attentive,  though,  as  yet,  passive  observers  of  the  moving  multi 
tude. 

The  advance,  with  Heyward  at  its  head,  had  already  reached 
the  defile,  and  was  slowly  disappearing,  when  the  attention  of 
Cora  was  drawn  to  a  collection  of  stragglers,  by  the  sounds  of 
contention.  A  truant  provincial  was  paying  the  forfeit  of  his 
disobedience,  by  being  plundered  of  those  very  effects  which  had 
caused  him  to  desert  his  place  in  the  ranks.  The  man  was  of 
powerful  frame,  and  too  avaricious  to  part  with  his  goods  with 
out  a  struggle.  Individuals  from  either  party  interfered;  the 
one  side  to  prevent,  and  the  other  to  aid  in  the  robbery.  Voices 
grew  loud  and  angry,  and  a  hundred  savages  appeared,  as  it 
were  by  magic,  where  a  dozen  only  had  been  seen  a  minute  before. 
It  was  then  that  Cora  saw  the  form  of  Magua  gliding  among  his 
countrymen,  and  speaking  with  his  fatal  and  artful  eloquence. 
The  mass  of  women  and  children  stopped,  and  hovered  together 
like  alarmed  and  fluttering  birds.  But  the  cupidity  of  the  Indian 
was  soon  gratified,  and  the  different  bodies  again  moved  slowly 
onward. 

The  savages  now  fell  back,  and  seemed  content  to  let  their 
enemies  advance  without  further  molestation.  But  as  the  female 
crowd  approached  them,  the  gaudy  colors  of  a  shawl  attracted 
the  eyes  of  a  wild  and  untutored  Huron.  He  advanced  to  seize 
it,  without  the  least  hesitation.  The  woman,  more  in  terror  than 
through  love  of  the  ornament,  wrapped  her  child  in  the  coveted 
article,  and  folded  both  more  closely  to  her  bosom.  Cora  was  in 


180  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

the  act  of  speaking,  with  an  intent  to  advise  the  woman  to  aban 
don  the  trifle,  when  the  savage  relinquished  his  hold  of  the  shawl, 
and  tore  the  screaming  infant  from  her  arms.  Abandoning 
everything  to  the  greedy  grasp  of  those  around  her,  the  mother 
darted,  with  distraction  in  her  mien,  to  reclaim  her  child.  The 
Indian  smiled  grimly,  and  extended  one  hand,  in  sign  of  a  will 
ingness  to  exchange,  while  with  the  other,  he  flourished  the  babe 
over  his  head,  holding  it  by  the  feet  as  if  to  enhance  the  value  of 
the  ransom. 

"Here — here — there — all — any — everything  1"  exclaimed  the 
breathless  woman;  tearing  the  lighter  articles  of  dress  from  her 
person,  with  ill-directed  and  trembling  fingers;  "take  all,  but  give 
me  my  babe!" 

The  savage  spurned  the  worthless  rags,  and  perceiving  that 
the  shawl  had  already  become  a  prize  to  another,  his  bantering 
but  sullen  smile  changing  to  a  gleam  of  ferocity,  he  dashed  the 
head  of  the  infant  against  a  rock,  and  cast  its  quivering  remains 
to  her  very  feet.  For  an  instant,  the  mother  stood,  like  a  statue 
of  despair,  looking  wildly  down  at  the  unseemly  object,  which 
had  so  lately  nestled  in  her  bosom  and  smiled  in  her  face ;  and  then 
she  raised  her  eyes  and  countenance  towards  heaven,  as  if  calling 
on  God  to  curse  the  perpetrator  of  the  foul  deed.  She  was  spared 
the  sin  of  such  a  prayer;  for,  maddened  at  his  disappointment, 
and  excited  at  the  sight  of  blood,  the  Huron  mercifully  drove  his 
tomahawk  into  her  own  brain.  The  mother  sank  under  the  blow, 
and  fell,  grasping  at  her  child,  in  death,  with  the  same  engrossing 
love  that  had  caused  her  to  cherish  it  when  living. 

At  that  dangerous  moment  Magua  placed  his  hands  to  his 
mouth,  and  raised  the  fatal  and  appalling  whoop.  The  scattered 
Indians  started  at  the  well-known  cry,  as  coursers  bound  at  the 
signal  to  quit  the  goal ;  and,  directly,  there  arose  such  a  yell  along 
the  plain,  and  through  the  arches  of  the  wood,  as  seldom  burst 
from  human  lips  before.  They  who  heard  it  listened  with  a 
curdling  horror  at  the  heart,  little  inferior  to. that  dread  which 
may  be  expected  to  attend  the  blasts  of  the  final  summons. 

More  than  two  thousand  raving  savages  broke  from  the  forest 
at  the  signal,  and  threw  themselves  across  the  fatal  plain  with 
instinctive  alacrity.  We  shall  not  dwell  on  the  revolting  horrors 
that  succeeded.  Death  was  everywhere,  and  in  his  most  terrific 
and  disgusting  aspects.  Resistance  only  served  to  inflame  the 
murderers,  who  inflicted  their  furious  blows  long  after  their  vie- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  181 

tims  were  beyond  the  power  of  their  resentment.  The  flow  of 
blood  might  be  likened  to  the  outbreaking  of  a  torrent;  and,  as 
the  natives  became  heated  and  maddened  by  the  sight,  many 
among  them  even  kneeled  to  the  earth,  and  drank  freely,  exult- 
ingly,  hellishly,  of  the  crimson  tide. 

The  trained  bodies  of  the  troops  threw  themselves  quickly 
into  solid  masses,  endeavoring  to  awe  their  assailants  by  the  im 
posing  appearance  of  a  military  front.  The  experiment  in  some 
measure  succeeded,  though  far  too  many  suffered  their  unloaded 
muskets  to  be  torn  from  their  hands,  in  the  vain  hope  of  appeas 
ing  the  savages. 

In  such  a  scene  none  had  leisure  to  note  the  fleeting  moments. 
It  might  have  been  ten  minutes  (it  seemed  an  age),  that  the 
sisters  had  stood  riveted  to  one  spot,  horror-stricken,  and  nearly 
helpless.  When  the  first  blow  was  struck,  their  screaming  com 
panions  had  pressed  upon  them  in  a  body,  rendering  flight  im 
possible  ;  and  now  that  fear  or  death  had  scattered  most,  if  not  all, 
from  around  them,  they  saw  no  avenue  open,  but  such  as  con 
ducted  to  the  tomahawks  of  their  foes.  On  every  side  arose 
shrieks,  groans,  exhortations,  and  curses.  At  this  moment  Alice 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  vast  form  of  her  father,  moving  rapidly 
across  the  plain,  in  the  direction  of  the  French  army.  He  was, 
in  truth,  proceeding  to  Montcalm,  fearless  of  every  danger,  to 
claim  the  tardy  escort  for  which  he  had  before  conditioned.  Fifty 
glittering  axes  and  barbed  spears  were  offered  unheeded  at  his 
life,  but  the  savages  respected  his  rank  and  calmness,  even  in 
their  fury.  The  dangerous  weapons  were  brushed  aside  by  the 
still  nervous  arm  of  the  veteran,  or  fell  of  themselves,  after  men 
acing  an  act  that  it  would  seem  no  one  had  courage  to  perform. 
Fortunately,  the  vindictive  Magua  was  searching  for  his  victim 
in  the  very  band  the  veteran  had  just  quitted. 

"Father — father — we  are  here!"  shrieked  Alice,  as  he  passed, 
at  no  great  distance,  without  appearing  to  heed  them.  "Come 
to  us,  father,  or  we  die!" 

The  cry  was  repeated,  and  in  terms  and  tones  that  might  have 
melted  a  heart  of  stone,  but  it  was  unanswered.  Once,  indeed, 
the  old  man  appeared  to  catch  the  sounds,  for  he  paused  and 
listened;  but  Alice  had  dropped  senseless  on  the  earth,  and  Cora 
had  sunk  at  her  side,  hovering  in  untiring  tenderness  over  her 
lifeless  form.  Munro  shook  his  head  in  disappointment,  and 
proceeded,  bent  on  the  high  duty  of  his  station. 


182  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Lady,"  said  Gamut,  who,  helpless  and  useless  as  he  was, 
had  not  yet  dreamed  of  deserting  his  trust,  "it  is  the  jubilee  of 
the  devils,  and  this  is  not  a  meet  place  for  Christians  to  tarry  in. 
Let  us  up  and  fly." 

"Go,"  said  Cora,  still  gazing  at  her  unconscious  sister;  "save 
thyself.  To  me  thou  canst  not  he  of  further  use." 

David  comprehended  the  unyielding  character  of  her  resolu 
tion,  by  the  simple  but  expressive  gesture  that  accompanied  her 
words.  He  gazed,  for  a  moment,  at  the  dusky  forms  that  were 
acting  their  hellish  rites  on  every  side  of  him,  and  his  tall  person 
grew  more  erect,  while  his  chest  heaved,  and  every  feature 
swelled,  and  seemed  to  speak  with  the  power  of  the  feelings  by 
which  he  was  governed. 

"If  the  Jewish  boy  might  tame  the  evil  spirit  of  Saul  by  the 
sound  of  his  harp,  and  the  words  of  sacred  song,  it  may  not  be 
amiss,"  he  said,  "to  try  the  potency  of  music  here." 

Then  raising  his  voice  to  its  highest  tones,  he  poured  out  a 
strain  so  powerful  as  to  be  heard  even  amid  the  din  of  that  bloody 
field.  More  than  one  savage  rushed  towards  them,  thinking  to 
rifle  the  unprotected  sisters  of  their  attire,  and  bear  away  their 
scalps;  but  when  they  found  this  strange  and  unmoved  figure 
riveted  to  his  post,  they  paused  to  listen.  Astonishment  soon 
changed  to  admiration,  and  they  passed  on  to  other  and  less 
courageous  victims,  openly  expressing  their  satisfaction  at  the 
firmness  with  which  the  white  warrior  sang  his  death  song.  En 
couraged  and  deluded  by  his  success,  David  exerted  all  his 
powers  to  extend  what  he  believed  so  holy  an  influence.  The  un 
wonted  sounds  caught  the  ears  of  a  distant  savage,  who  flew 
raging  from  group  to  group,  like  one  who,  scorning  to  touch  the 
vulgar  herd,  hunted  for  some  victim  more  worthy  of  his  renown. 
It  was  Magua,  who  uttered  a  yell  of  pleasure  when  he  beheld  his 
ancient  prisoners  again  at  his  mercy. 

"Come,"  he  said,  laying  his  soiled  hands  on  the  dress  of  Cora, 
"the  wigwam  of  the  Huron  is  still  open.  Is  it  not  better  than 
this  place?" 

"Away!"  cried  Cora,  veiling  her  eyes  from  his  revolting 
aspect. 

The  Indian  laughed  tauntingly,  as  he  held  up  his  reeking 
hand,  and  answered, — "It  is  red,  but  it  comes  from  white  veins!" 

"Monster!  there  is  blood,  oceans  of  blood,  upon  thy  soul;  thy 
spirit  has  moved  this  scene." 


Copyright  by 


MAGUA   CAPTURES  ALICE 

He  hesitated  a  moment;  and  then  catching  the  light  and 
senseless  form  of  Alice  in  his  arms,  the  subtle  Indian 
moved  swiftly  across  the  plain  toward  the  woods 


Copyright  by  Charles  Scribnrr's  Sons 


MAGUA   CAPTl  RES   ALICE 

He  hesitated  a  moment;  and  then  catching  the  light  and 
senseless  form  of  Alice  in  his  arms,  the  subtle  Indian 
moved  su.'ijtlfj  across  the  plain  toward  the  u.oods 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  183 

"Magua  is  a  great  chief!"  returned  the  exulting  savage;  "will 
the  dark  hair  go  to  his  tribe?" 

"Never!  strike,  if  thou  wilt,  and  complete  thy  revenge." 

He  hesitated  a  moment;  and  then  catching  the  light  and 
senseless  form  of  Alice  in  his  arms,  the  subtle  Indian  moved 
swiftly  across  the  plain  towards  the  woods. 

"Hold!"  shrieked  Cora,  following  wildly  on  his  footsteps; 
"release  the  child!  wretch!  what  is't  you  do?" 

But  Magua  was  deaf  to  her  voice;  or  rather  he  knew  his 
power,  and  was  determined  to  maintain  it. 

"Stay — lady — stay,"  called  Gamut,  after  the  unconscious 
Cora.  "The  holy  charm  is  beginning  to  be  felt,  and  soon  shalt 
thou  see  this  horrid  tumult  stilled." 

Perceiving  that,  in  his  turn,  he  was  unheeded,  the  faithful 
David  followed  the  distracted  sister,  raising  his  voice  again  in 
sacred  song,  and  sweeping  the  air  to  the  measure,  with  his  long 
arm,  in  diligent  accompaniment.  In  this  manner  they  traversed 
the  plain,  through  the  flying,  the  wounded,  and  the  dead.  The 
fterce  Huron  was,  at  any  time,  sufficient  for  himself  and  the  vic 
tim  that  he  bore ;  though  Cora  would  have  fallen,  more  than  once, 
under  the  blows  of  her  savage  enemies,  but  for  the  extraordi 
nary  being  who  stalked  in  her  rear,  and  who  now  appeared 
to  the  astonished  natives  gifted  with  the  protecting  spirit  of 
madness. 

Magua,  who  knew  how  to  avoid  the  more  pressing  dangers, 
and  also  to  elude  pursuit,  entered  the  woods  through  a  low  ravine, 
where  he  quickly  found  the  Narragansetts,  which  the  travellers 
had  abandoned  so  shortly  before,  awaiting  his  appearance,  in 
custody  of  a  savage  as  fierce  and  as  malign  in  his  expression  as 
himself.  Laying  Alice  on  one  of  the  horses,  he  made  a  sign  to 
Cora  to  mount  the  other. 

Notwithstanding  the  horror  excited  by  the  presence  of  her 
captor,  there  was  a  present  relief  in  escaping  from  the  bloody 
scene  enacting  on  the  plain,  to  which  Cora  could  not  be  alto 
gether  insensible.  She  took  her  seat,  and  held  forth  her  arms  for 
her  sister,  with  an  air  of  entreaty  and  love  that  even  the  Huron 
could  not  deny.  Placing  Alice,  then,  on  the  same  animal  with 
Cora,  he  seized  the  bridle,  and  commenced  his  route  by  plunging 
deeper  into  the  forest.  David,  perceiving  that  he  was  left  alone, 
utterly  disregarded,  as  a  subject  too  worthless  even  to  destroy, 
threw  his  long  limb  across  the  saddle  of  the  beast  they  had 


184  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

deserted,  and  made  such  progress  in  the  pursuit  as  the  difficulties 
of  the  path  permitted. 

They  soon  began  to  ascend,  but  as  the  motion  had  a  tendency 
to  revive  the  dormant  faculties  of  her  sister,  the  attention  of  Cora 
was  too  much  divided  between  the  tenderest  solicitude  in  her  be 
half,  and  in  listening  to  the  cries  which  were  still  too  audible  on 
the  plain,  to  note  the  direction  in  which  they  journeyed.  When, 
however,  they  gained  the  flattened  surface  of  the  mountain-top, 
and  approached  the  eastern  precipice,  she  recognized  the  spot  to 
which  she  had  once  before  been  led  under  the  more  friendly  aus 
pices  of  the  scout.  Here  Magua  suffered  them  to  dismount; 
and,  notwithstanding  their  own  captivity,  the  curiosity  which 
seems  inseparable  from  horror,  induced  them  to  gaze  at  the 
sickening  sight  below. 

The  cruel  work  was  still  unchecked.  On  every  side  the  cap 
tured  were  flying  before  their  relentless  persecutors,  while  the 
armed  columns  of  the  Christian  king  stood  fast  in  an  apathy 
which  has  never  been  explained,  and  which  has  left  an  immovable 
blot  on  the  otherwise  fair  escutcheon  of  their  leader.  Nor  was  the 
sword  of  death  stayed  until  cupidity  got  the  mastery  of  revenge. 
Then,  indeed,  the  shrieks  of  the  wounded  and  the  yells  of  their 
murderers-  grew  less  frequent,  until,  finally,  the  cries  of  horror 
were  lost  to  their  ear,  or  were  drowned  in  the  loud,  long,  and 
piercing  whoops  of  the  triumphant  savages. 


CHAPTER    XVIII 

"Why,  anything: 

An  honorable  murderer,  if   you  will; 
For  naught  I  did  in  hate,  but  all  in  honor." 

Othello. 

THE  bloody  and  inhuman  scene  rather  incidentally  mentioned 
than  described  in  the  preceding  chapter,  is  conspicuous  in  the 
pages  of  colonial  history,  by  the  merited  title  of  "The  Massacre 
of  William  Henry."  It  so  far  deepened  the  stain  which  a  previ 
ous  and  very  similar  event  had  left  upon  the  reputation  of  the 
French  commander,  that  it  was  not  entirely  erased  by  his  early 
and  glorious  death.  It  is  now  becoming  obscured  by  time;  and 
thousands,  who  know  that  Montcalm  died  like  a  hero  on  the 
plains  of  Abraham,  have  yet  to  learn  how  much  he  was  deficient 
in  that  moral  courage  without  which  no  man  can  be  truly  great. 
Pages  might  be  written  to  prove,  from  this  illustrious  example, 
the  defects  of  human  excellence ;  to  show  how  easy  it  is  for  gener 
ous  sentiments,  high  courtesy,  and  chivalrous  courage,  to  lose 
their  influence  beneath  the  chilling  blight  of  selfishness,  and  to 
exhibit  to  the  world  a  man  who  was  great  in  all  the  minor  at 
tributes  of  character,  but  who  was  found  wanting  when  it  became 
necessary  to  prove  how  much  principle  is  superior  to  policy.  But 
the  task  would  exceed  our  prerogatives ;  and(  as  history,  like  love, 
is  so  apt  to  surround  her  heroes  with  an  atmosphere  of  imaginary 
brightness,  it  is  probable  that  Louis  de  Saint  Veran  will  be 
viewed  by  posterity  only  as  the  gallant  defender  of  his  country, 
while'  his  cruel  apathy  on  the  shores  of  the  Oswego  and  of  the 
Horican  will  be  forgotten.  Deeply  regretting  this  weakness  on 
the  part  of  a  sister  muse,  we  shall  at  once  retire  from  her  sacred 
precincts,  within  the  proper  limits  of  our  own  humble  vocation. 

The  third  day  from  the  capture  of  the  fort  was  drawing  to  a 
close,  but  the  business  of  the  narrative  must  still  detain  the 
reader  on  the  shores  of  the  "holy  lake."  When  last  seen,  the 
environs  of  the  works  were  filled  with  violence  and  uproar.  They 
were  now  possessed  by  stillness  and  death.  The  blood-stained 

185 


186  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

conquerors  had  departed;  and  their  camp,  which  had  so  lately 
rung  with  the  merry  rejoicings  of  a  victorious  army,  lay  a  silent 
and  deserted  city  of  huts.  The  fortress  was  a  smouldering  ruin; 
charred  rafters,  fragments  of  exploded  artillery,  and  rent  mason- 
work,  covering  its  earthen  mounds  in  confused  disorder. 

A  frightful  change  had  also  occurred  in  the  season.  The  sun 
had  hid  its  warmth  behind  an  impenetrable  mass  of  vapor,  and 
hundreds  of  human  forms,  which  had  blackened  beneath  the 
fierce  heats  of  August,  were  stiffening  in  their  deformity,  before 
the  blasts  of  a  premature  November.  The  curling  and  spotless 
mists,  which  had  been  seen  sailing  above  the  hills  towards  the 
north,  were  now  returning  in  an  interminable  dusky  sheet,  that 
was  urged  along  by  the  fury  of  a  tempest.  The  crowded  mirror 
of  the  Horican  was  gone;  and,  in  its  place,  the  green  and  angry 
waters  lashed  the  shores,  as  if  indignantly  casting  back  its  im 
purities  to  the  polluted  strand.  Still  the  clear  fountain  retained 
a  portion  of  its  charmed  influence,  but  it  reflected  only  the  sombre 
gloom  that  fell  from  the  impending  heavens.  That  humid  and 
congenial  atmosphere  which  commonly  adorned  the  view,  veiling 
its  harshness,  and  softening  its  asperities,  had  disappeared,  and 
the  northern  air  poured  across  the  waste  of  water  so  harsh  and 
unmingled,  that  nothing  was  left  td  be  conjectured  by  the  eye, 
or  fashioned  by  the  fancy. 

The  fiercer  element  had  cropped  the  verdure  of  the  plain, 
which  looked  as  though  it  were  scathed  by  the  consuming  light 
ning.  But,  here  and  there,  a  dark  green  tuft  rose  in  the  midst  of 
the  desolation ;  the  earliest  fruits  of  a  soil  that  had  been  fattened 
with  human  blood.  The  whole  landscape,  which,  seen  by  a  favor 
ing  light,  and  in  a  genial  temperature,  had  been  found  so  lovely, 
appeared  now  like  some  pictured  allegory  of  life,  in  which  objects 
were  arrayed  in  their  harshest  but  truest  colors,  and  without  the 
relief  of  any  shadowing. 

The  solitary  and  arid  blades  of  grass  arose  from  the  passing 
gusts  fearfully  perceptible;  the  bold  and  rocky  mountains  were 
too  distinct  in  their  barrenness,  and  the  eye  even  sought  relief,  in 
vain,  by  attempting  to  pierce  the  illimitable  void  of  heaven,  which 
was  shut  to  its  gaze  by  the  dusky  sheet  of  ragged  and  driving 
vapor. 

The  wind  blew  unequally;  sometimes  sweeping  heavily  along 
the  ground,  seeming  to  whisper  its  meanings  in  the  cold  ears  of 
the  dead,  then  rising  in  a  shrill  and  mournful  whistling,  it  entered 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  187 

the  forest  with  a  rush  that  filled  the  air  with  the  leaves  and 
branches  it  scattered  in  its  path.  Amid  the  unnatural  shower,  a 
few  hungry  ravens  struggled  with  the  gale;  but  no  sooner  was 
the  green  ocean  of  woods,  which  stretched  beneath  them,  passed, 
than  they  gladly  stopped,  at  random,  to  their  hideous  banquet. 

In  short,  it  was  the  scene  of  wildness  and  desolation;  and  it 
appeared  as  if  all  who  had  profanely  entered  it  had  been  stricken, 
at  a  blow,  by  the  relentless  arm  of  death.  But  the  prohibition 
had  ceased;  and  for  the  first  time  since  the  perpetrators  of  those 
foul  deeds  which  had  assisted  to  disfigure  the  scene  were  gone, 
living  human  beings  had  now  presumed  to  approach  the  place. 

About  an  hour  before  the  setting  of  the  sun,  on  the  day  already 
mentioned,  the  forms  of  five  men  might  have  been  seen  issuing 
from  the  narrow  vista  of  trees,  where  the  path  to  the  Hudson 
entered  the  forest,  and  advancing  in  the  direction  of  the  ruined 
works.  At  first  their  progress  was  slow  and  guarded,  as  though 
they  entered  with  reluctance  amid  the  horrors  of  the  spot,  or 
dreaded  the  renewal  of  its  frightful  incidents.  A  light  figure 
preceded  the  rest  of  the  party,  with  the  caution  and  activity  of  a 
native ;  ascending  every  hillock  to  reconnoitre,  and  indicating,  by 
gestures,  to  his  companions,  the  route  he  deemed  it  most  prudent 
to  pursue.  Nor  were  those  in  the  rear  wanting  in  every  caution 
and  foresight  known  to  forest  warfare.  One  among  them,  he 
also  was  an  Indian,  moved  a  little  on  one  flank,  and  watched  the 
margin  of  the  woods,  with  eyes  long  accustomed  to  read  the 
smallest  sign  of  danger.  The  remaining  three  were  white,  though 
clad  in  vestments  adapted,  both  in  quality  and  color,  to  their 
present  hazardous  pursuit,- — that  of  hanging  on  the  skirts  of  a 
retiring  army  in  the  wilderness. 

The  effects  produced  by  the  appalling  sights  that  constantly 
arose  in  their  path  to  the  lake  shore,  were  as  different  as  the 
characters  of  the  respective  individuals  who  composed  the  party. 
The  youth  in  front  threw  serious  but  furtive  glances  at  the  man 
gled  victims,  as  he  stepped  lightly  across  the  plain,  afraid  to 
exhibit  his  feelings,  and  yet  too  inexperienced  to  quell  entirely 
their  sudden  and  powerful  influence.  His  red  associate,  however, 
was  superior  to  such  a  weakness.  He  passed  the  groups  of  dead 
with  a  steadiness  of  purpose,  and  an  eye  so  calm,  that  nothing 
but  long  and  inveterate  practice  could  enable  him  to  maintain. 
The  sensations  produced  in  the  minds  of  even  the  white  men  were 
different,  though  uniformly  sorrowful.  One,  whose  gray  locks 


188  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

and  furrowed  lineaments,  blending  with  a  martial  air  and  tread, 
betrayed,  in  spite  of  the  disguise  of  a  woodsman's  dress,  a  man 
long  experienced  in  scenes  of  war,  was  not  ashamed  to  groan 
aloud,  whenever  a  spectacle  of  more  than  usual  horror  came 
under  his  view.  The  young  man  at  his  elbow  shuddered,  but 
seemed  to  suppress  his  feelings  in  tenderness  to  his  companion. 
Of  them  all,  the  straggler  who  brought  up  the  rear  appeared 
alone  to  betray  his  real  thoughts,  without  fear  of  observation  or 
dread  of  consequences.  He  gazed  at  the  most  appalling  sight 
with  eyes  and  muscles  that  knew  not  how  to  waver,  but  with  exe 
crations  so  bitter  and  deep  as  to  denote  how  much  he  denounced 
the  crime  of  his  enemies. 

The  reader  will  perceive  at  once,  in  these  respective  char 
acters,  the  Mohicans,  and  their  white  friend,  the  scout;  together 
with  Munro  and  Heyward.  It  was,  in  truth,  the  father  in  quest 
of  his  children,  attended  by  the  youth  who  felt  so  deep  a  stake  in 
their  happiness,  and  those  brave  and  trusty  foresters,  who  had 
already  proved  their  skill  and  fidelity  through  the  trying  scenes 
related. 

When  Uncas,  who  moved  in  front,  had  reached  the  centre  of 
the  plain,  he  raised  a  cry  that  drew  his  companions  in  a  body  to 
the  spot.  The  young  warrior  had  halted  over  a  group  of  females 
who  lay  in  a  cluster,  a  confused  mass  of  dead.  Notwithstanding 
the  revolting  horror  of  the  exhibition,  Munro  and  Heyward  flew 
towards  the  festering  heap,  endeavoring,  with  a  love  that  no  un 
seemliness  could  extinguish,  to  discover  whether  any  vestiges  of 
those  they  sought  were  to  be  seen  among  the  tattered  and  many- 
colored  garments.  The  father  and  lover  found  instant  relief  in 
the  search;  though  each  was  condemned  again  to  experience  the 
misery  of  an  uncertainty  that  was  hardly  less  insupportable  than 
the  most  revolting  truth.  They  were  standing,  silent  and 
thoughtful,  around  the  melancholy  pile,  when  the  scout  ap 
proached.  Eying  the  sad  spectacle  with  an  angry  countenance, 
the  sturdy  woodsman,  for  the  first  time  since  his  entering  the 
plain,  spoke  intelligibly  and  aloud:— 

"I  have  been  on  many  a  shocking  field,  and  have  followed  a 
trail  of  blood  for  many  miles,"  he  said,  "but  never  have  I  found 
the  hand  of  the  devil  so  plain  as  it  is  here  to  be  seen!  Revenge 
is  an  Indian  feeling,  and  all  who  know  me  know  that  there  is  no 
cross  in  my  veins ;  but  this  much  will  I  say — here,  in  the  face  of 
heaven,  and  with  the  power  of  the  Lord  so  manifest  in  this  howl- 


THE    LAST 'OF    THE    MOHICANS  189 

ing  wilderness, — that  should  these  Frenchers  ever  trust  them 
selves  again  within  the  range  of  a  ragged  bullet,  there  is  one  rifle 
shall  play  its  part,  so  long  as  flint  will  fire  or  powder  burn!  I 
leave  the  tomahawk  and  knife  to  such  as  have  a  natural  gift  to 
use  them.  What  say  you,  Chingachgook,"  he  added  in  Dela 
ware;  "shall  the  Hurons  boast  of  this  to  their  women  when  the 
deep  snows  come?" 

A  gleam  of  resentment  flashed  across  the  dark  lineaments  of 
the  Mohican  chief:  he  loosened  his  knife  in  its  sheath;  and  then 
turning  calmly  from  the  sight,  his  countenance  settled  into  a 
repose  as  deep  as  if  he  never  knew  the  instigation  of  passion. 

"Montcalm!  Montcalm!"  continued  the  deeply  resentful  and 
less  self-restrained  scout;  "they  say  a  time  must  come,  when  all 
the  deeds  done  in  the  flesh  will  be  seen  at  a  single  look;  and  that 
by  eyes  cleared  from  mortal  infirmities.  Woe  betide  the  wretch 
who  is  born  to  behold  this  plain,  with  the  judgment  hanging 
about  his  soul!  Ha — as  I  am  a  man  of  white  blood,  yonder  lies 
a  redskin,  without  the  hair  of  his  head  where  nature  rooted  it! 
Look  to  him,  Delaware;  it  may  be  one  of  your  missing  people; 
and  he  should  have  burial  like  a  stout  warrior.  I  see  it  in  your 
eye,  Sagamore:  a  Huron  pays  for  this,  afore  the  fall  winds  have 
blown  away  the  scent  of  the  blood !" 

Chingachgook  approached  the  mutilated  form,  and  turning  it 
over,  he  found  the  distinguishing  marks  of  one  of  those  six  allied 
tribes,  or  nations,  as  they  were  called,  who,  while  they  fought  in 
the  English  ranks,  were  so  deadly  hostile  to  his  own  people. 
Spurning  the  loathsome  object  with  his  foot,  he  turned  from  it 
with  the  same  indifference  he  would  have  quitted  a  brute  carcass. 
The  scout  comprehended  the  action,  and  very  deliberately  pur 
sued  his  own  way,  continuing,  however,  his  denunciations  against 
the  French  commander  in  the  same  resentful  strain. 

"Nothing  but  vast  wisdom  and  onlimited  power  should  dare 
to  sweep  off  men  in  multitudes,"  he  added;  "for  it  is  only  the  one 
that  can  know  the  necessity  of  the  judgment;  and  what  is  there, 
short  of  the  other,  that  can  replace  the  creatures  of  the  Lord?  I 
hold  it  a  sin  to  kill  the  second  buck  afore  the  first  is  eaten,  unless 
a  march  in  the  front,  or  an  ambushment,  be  contemplated.  It  is 
a  different  matter  with  a  few  warriors  in  open  and  rugged  fight, 
for  'tis  their  gift  to  die  with  the  rifle  or  the  tomahawk  in  hand; 
according  as  their  natures  may  happen  to  be,  white  or  red. 
Uncas,  come  this  way,  lad,  and  let  the  ravens  settle  upon  the 


190  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

Mingo.  I  know,  from  often  seeing  it,  that  they  have  a  craving  for 
the  flesh  of  an  Oneida;  and  it  is  as  well  to  let  the  bird  follow  the 
gift  of  its  natural  appetite." 

"Hugh!"  exclaimed  the  young  Mohican,  rising  on  the  ex 
tremities  of  his  feet,  and  gazing  intently  in  his  front,  frightening 
the  raven  to  some  other  prey,  by  the  sound  and  the  action. 

"What  is  it,  boy?"  whispered  the  scout,  lowering  his  tall  form 
into  a  crouching  attitude,  like  a  panther  about  to  take  his  leap; 
"God  send  it  be  a  tardy  Frencher,  skulking  for  plunder.  I  do 
believe  'Ivilldeer'  would  take  an  oncommon  range  to-day!" 

Uncas,  without  making  any  reply,  bounded  away  from  the 
spot,  and  in  the  next  instant  he  was  seen  tearing  from  a  bush, 
and  waving  in  triumph  a  fragment  of  the  green  riding-veil  of 
Cora.  The  movement,  the  exhibition,  and  the  cry,  which  again 
burst  from  the  lips  of  the  young  Mohican,  instantly  drew  the 
whole  party  about  him. 

"My  child!"  said  Munro,  speaking  quick  and  wildly  "give  me 
my  child!" 

"Uncas  will  try,"  was  the  short  and  touching  answer. 

The  simple  but  meaning  assurance  was  lost  on  the  father,  who 
seized  the  piece  of  gauze,  and  crushed  it  in  his  hand,  while  his 
eyes  roamed  fearfully  among  the  bushes,  as  if  he  equally  dreaded 
and  hoped  for  the  secrets  they  might  reveal. 

"Here  are  no  dead,"  said  Heyward;  "the  storm  seems  not 
to  have  passed  this  way." 

"That's  manifest;  and  clearer  than  the  heavens  above  our 
heads,"  returned  the  undisturbed  scout;  "but  either  she,  or  they 
that  have  robbed  her,  have  passed  the  bush ;  for  I  remember  the 
rag  she  wore  to  hide  a  face  that  all  did  love  to  look  upon.  Uncas, 
you  are  right;  the  dark-hair  has  been  here,  and  she  has  fled  like 
a  frightened  fawn,  to  the  wood ;  none  who  could  fly  would  remain 
to  be  murdered.  Let  us  search  for  the  marks  she  left ;  for  to  In 
dian  eyes,  I  sometimes  think  even  a  humming-bird  leaves  his  trail 
in  the  air." 

The  young  Mohican  darted  away  at  the  suggestion,  and  the 
scout  had  hardly  done  speaking,  before  the  former  raised  a  cry 
of  success  from  the  margin  of  the  forest.  On  reaching  the  spot, 
the  anxious  party  perceived  another  portion  of  the  veil  fluttering 
on  the  lower  branch  of  a  beech. 

"Softly,  softly,"  said  the  scout,  extending  his  long  rifle  in 
front  of  the  eager  Heyward;  "we  now  know  our  work,  but  the 


THE    LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  191 

beauty  of  the  trail  must  not  be  deformed.  A  step  too  soon  may 
give  us  hours  of  trouble.  We  have  them,  though;  that  much  is 
beyond  denial." 

"Bless  ye,  bless  ye,  worthy  man!"  exclaimed  Munro;  "whither, 
then,  have  they  fled,  and  where  are  my  babes?" 

"The  path  they  have  taken  depends  on  many  chances.  If 
they  have  gone  alone,  they  are  quite  as  likely  to  move  in  a  circle 
as  straight,  and  they  may  be  within  a  dozen  miles  of  us ;  but  if  the 
Hurons,  or  any  of  the  French  Indians,  have  laid  hands  on  them, 
'tis  probable  they  are  now  near  the  borders  of  the  Canadas.  But 
what  matters  that?"  continued  the  deliberate  scout,  observing 
the  powerful  anxiety  and  disappointment  the  listeners  exhibited; 
"here  are  the  Mohicans  and  I  on  one  end  of  the  trail,  and,  rely  on 
it,  we  find  the  other,  though  they  should  be  a  hundred  leagues 
asunder!  Gently,  gently,  Uncas,  you  are  as  impatient  as  a  man 
in  the  settlements;  you  forget  that  light  feet  leave  but  faint 
marks!" 

"Hugh!"  exclaimed  Chingachgook,  who  had  been  occupied  in 
examining  an  opening  that  had  been  evidently  made  through  the 
low  underbrush,  which  skirted  the  forest;  and  who  now  stood 
erect,  as  he  pointed  downwards,  in  the  attitude  and  with  the  air 
of  a  man  who  beheld  a  disgusting  serpent. 

"Here  is  the  palpable  impression  of  the  footstep  of  a  man," 
cried  Hey  ward,  bending  over  the  indicated  spot;  "he  has  trod  in 
the  margin  of  this  pool,  and  the  mark  cannot  be  mistaken.  They 
are  captives." 

"Better  so  than  left  to  starve  in  the  wilderness,"  returned  the 
scout;  "and  they  will  leave  a  wider  trail.  I  would  wager  fifty 
beaver  skins  against  as  many  flints,  that  the  Mohicans  and  I 
enter  their  wigwams  within  the  month !  Stoop  to  it,  Uncas,  and 
try  what  you  can  make  of  the  moccasin;  for  moccasin  it  plainly 
is,  and  no  shoe." 

The  young  Mohican  bent  over  the  track,  and  removing  the 
scattered  leaves  from  around  the  place,  he  examined  it  with  much 
of  that  sort  of  scrutiny  that  a  money-dealer,  in  these  days  of 
pecuniary  doubts,  would  bestow  on  a  suspected  due-bill.  At 
length  he  arose  from  his  knees,  satisfied  with  the  result  of  the 
examination. 

"Well,  boy,"  demanded  the  attentive  scout,  "what  does  it 
say?  can  you  make  anything  of  the  tell-tale?" 

"Le  Renard  Subtil!" 


192  THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS 

"Ha!  that  rampaging  devil  again!  there  never  will  be  an  end 
of  his  loping,  till  'Killdeer'  has  said  a  friendly  word  to  him." 

Heyward  reluctantly  admitted  the  truth  of  this  intelligence, 
and  now  expressed  rather  his  hopes  than  his  doubts  by  saying,— 

"One  moccasin  is  so  much  like  another,  it  is  probable  there  is 
some  mistake." 

"One  moccasin  like  another!  you  may  as  well  say  that  one  foot 
is  like  another;  though  we  all  know  that  some  are  long,  and 
others  short ;  some  broad,  and  others  narrow ;  some  with  high,  and 
some  with  low  insteps;  some  in-toed,  and  some  out.  One  moc 
casin  is  no  more  like  another  than  one  book  is  like  another ;  though 
they  who  can  read  in  one  are  seldom  able  to  tell  the  marks  of  the 
other.  Which  is  all  ordered  for  the  best,  giving  to  every  man  his 
natural  advantages.  Let  me  get  down  to  it,  Uncas ;  neither  book 
nor  moccasin  is  the  worse  for  having  two  opinions,  instead  of 
one."  The  scout  stooped  to  the  task,  and  instantly  added,  "You 
are  right,  boy;  here  is  the  patch  we  saw  so  often  in  the  other 
chase.  And  the  fellow  will  drink  when  he  can  get  an  oppor 
tunity  :  your  drinking  Indian  always  learns  to  walk  with  a  wider 
toe  than  the  natural  savage,  it  being  the  gift  of  a  drunkard  to 
straddle,  whether  of  white  or  red  skin.  'Tis  just  the  length  and 
breadth  too!  look  at  it,  Sagamore:  you  measured  the  prints  more 
than  once,  when  we  hunted  the  varmints  from  Glenn's  to  the 
health-springs." 

Chingachgook  complied;  and  after  finishing  his  short  exami 
nation,  he  arose,  and  with  a  quiet  demeanor,  he  merely  pro 
nounced  the  word — 

"Magua!" 

"Ay,  'tis  a  settled  thing;  here  then  have  passed  the  dark-hair 
and  Magua." 

"And  not  Alice?"  demanded  Heyward. 

"Of  her  we  have  not  yet  seen  the  signs,"  returned  the  scout, 
looking  closely  around  at  the  trees,  the  bushes,  and  the  ground. 
"What  have  we  there?  Uncas,  bring  hither  the  thing  you  see 
dangling  from  yonder  thorn-bush." 

When  the  Indian  had  complied,  the  scout  received  the  prize, 
and  holding  it  on  high,  he  laughed  in  his  silent  but  heartfelt 
manner. 

'Tis  the  tooting  we'pon  of  the  singer!  now  we  shall  have  a 
trail  a  priest  might  travel,"  he  said.  "Uncas,  look  for  the  marks 
of  a  shoe  that  is  long  enough  to  uphold  six  feet  two  of  tottering 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  193 

human  flesh.  I  begin  to  have  some  hopes  of  the  fellow,  since 
he  has  given  up  squalling  to  follow  some  better  trade." 

"At  least,  he  has  been  faithful  to  his  trust,"  said  Heyward; 
"and  Cora  and  Alice  are  not  without  a  friend." 

"Yes,"  said  Hawkeye,  dropping  his  rifle,  and  leaning  on  it 
with  an  air  of  visible  contempt,  "he  will  do  their  singing.  Can  he 
slay  a  buck  for  their  dinner;  journey  by  the  moss  on  the  beeches, 
or  cut  the  throat  of  a  Huron?  If  not,  the  first  catbird  x  he  meets 
is  the  cleverest  of  the  two.  Well,  boy,  any  signs  of  such  a 
foundation?" 

"Here  is  something  like  the  footstep  of  one  who  has  worn  a 
shoe;  can  it  be  that  of  our  friend?" 

"Touch  the  leaves  lightly,  or  you'll  disconsart  the  formation. 
That !  that  is  the  print  of  a  foot,  but  'tis  the  dark-hair's ;  and  small 
it  is,  too,  for  one  of  such  a  noble  height  and  grand  appearance. 
The  singer  would  cover  it  with  his  heel." 

Where !  let  me  look  on  the  footsteps  of  my  child,"  said  Munro, 
shoving  the  bushes  aside,  and  bending  fondly  over  the  nearly 
obliterated  impression.  Though  the  tread,  which  had  left  the 
mark,  had  been  light  and  rapid,  it  was  still  plainly  visible.  The 
aged  soldier  examined  it  with  eyes  that  grew  dim  as  he  gazed ;  nor 
did  he  rise  from  his  stooping  posture  until  Heyward  saw  that  he 
had  watered  the  trace  of  his  daughter's  passage  with  a  scalding 
tear.  Willing  to  divert  a  distress  which  threatened  each  moment 
to  break  through  the  restraint  of  appearances,  by  giving  the 
veteran  something  to  do,  the  young  man  said  to  the  scout,— 

"As  we  now  possess  these  infallible  signs,  let  us  commence 
our  march.  A  moment,  at  such  a  time,  will  appear  an  age  to 
the  captives." 

"It  is  not  the  swiftest  leaping  deer  that  gives  the  longest 
chase,"  returned  Hawkeye,  without  moving  his  eyes  from  the 
different  marks  that  had  come  under  his  view;  "we  know  that  the 
rampaging  Huron  has  passed, — and  the  dark  hair, — and  the 
singer, — but  where  is  she  of  the  3rellow  locks  and  blue  eyes? 
Though  little,  and  far  from  being  as  bold  as  her  sister,  she  is  fair 
to  the  view,  and  pleasant  in  discourse.  Has  she  no  friend,  that 
none  care  for  her?" 

1  The  powers  of  the  American  mocking-bird  are  generally  known.  But  the  true  mock 
ing-bird  is  not  found  so  far  north  as  the  State  of  New  York,  where  it  has,  however,  two 
substitutes  of  inferior  excellence;  the  catbird,  so  often  named  by  the  scout,  and  the 
bird  vulgarly  called  ground-thresher.  Either  of  these  two  last  birds  is  superior  to  the 
nightingale,  or  the  lark,  though,  in  general,  the  American  birds  are  less  musical  than 
those  of  Europe. 


194  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"God  forbid  she  should  ever  want  hundreds !  Are  we  not  now 
in  her  pursuit?  for  one,  I  will  never  cease  the  search  till  she 
be  found." 

"In  that  case  we  may  have  to  journey  by  different  paths;  for 
here  she  has  not  passed,  light  and  little  as  her  footstep  would  be." 

Heyward  drew  back,  all  his  ardor  to  proceed  seeming  to 
vanish  on  the  instant.  Without  attending  to  this  sudden  change 
in  the  other's  humor,  the  scout,  after  musing  a  moment,  con 
tinued, — 

"There  is  no  woman  in  this  wilderness  could  leave  such  a  print 
as  that,  but  the  dark-hair  or  her  sister.  We  know  that  the  first 
has  been  here,  but  where  are  the  signs  of  the  other?  Let  us  push 
deeper  on  the  trail,  and  if  nothing  offers,  we  must  go  back  to  the 
plain  and  strike  another  scent.  Move  on,  Uncas,  and  keep  your 
eyes  on  the  dried  leaves.  I  will  watch  the  bushes,  while  your 
father  shall  run  with  a  low  nose  to  the  ground.  Move  on,  friends; 
the  sun  is  getting  behind  the  hills." 

"Is  there  nothing  that  I  can  do?"  demanded  the  anxious 
Heyward. 

"You!"  repeated  the  scout,  who,  with  his  red  friends,  was 
already  advancing  in  the  order  he  had  prescribed ;  "yes,  you  can 
keep  in  our  rear,  and  be  careful  not  to  cross  the  trail." 

Before  they  had  proceeded  many  rods,  the  Indians  stopped, 
and  appeared  to  gaze  at  some  signs  on  the  earth,  with  more  than 
their  usual  keenness.  Both  father  and  son  spoke  quick  and  loud, 
now  looking  at  the  object  of  their  mutual  admiration,  and  now 
regarding  each  other  with  the  most  unequivocal  pleasure. 

"They  have  found  the  little  foot!"  exclaimed  the  scout,  mov 
ing  forward,  without  attending  further  to  his  own  portion  of  the 
duty.  "What  have  we  here?  An  ambushment  has  been  planted 
in  the  spot?  No,  by  the  truest  rifle  on  the  frontiers,  here  have 
been  them  one-sided  horses  again!  Now  the  whole  secret  is  out, 
and  all  is  plain  as  the  north  star  at  midnight.  Yes,  here  they 
have  mounted.  There  the  beasts  have  been  bound  to  a  sapling, 
in  waiting;  and  yonder  runs  the  broad  path  away  to  the  north,  in 
full  sweep  for  the  Canadas." 

"But  still  there  are  no  signs  of  Alice — of  the  younger  Miss 
Munro," — said  Duncan. 

"Unless  the  shining  bauble  Uncas  has  just  lifted  from  the 
ground  should  prove  one.  Pass  it  this  way,  lad,  that  we  may  ktok 
at  it." 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  195 

Heyward  instantly  knew  it  for  a  trinket  that  Alice  was  fond 
of  wearing,  and  which  he  recollected,  with  the  tenacious  memory 
of  a  lover,  to  have  seen,  on  the  fatal  morning  of  the  massacre, 
dangling  from  the  fair  neck  of  his  mistress.  He  seized  the  highly 
prized  jewel;  and  as  he  proclaimed  the  fact,  it  vanished  from  the 
eyes  of  the  wondering  scout,  who  in  vain  looked  for  it  on  the 
ground,  long  after  it  was  warmly  pressed  against  the  beating 
heart  of  Duncan. 

"Pshaw!"  said  the  disappointed  Hawkeye,  ceasing  to  rake 
the  leaves  with  the  breech  of  his  rifle;  "  'tis  a  certain  sign  of  age, 
when  the  sight  begins  to  weaken.  Such  a  glittering  gewgaw,  and 
not  to  be  seen!  Well,  well,  I  can  squint  along  a  clouded  barrel 
yet,  and  that  is  enough  to  settle  all  disputes  between  me  and  the 
Min'gos.  I  should  like  to  find  the  thing  too,  if  it  were  only  to 
carry  it  to  the  right  owner,  and  that  would  be  bringing  the  two 
ends  of  what  I  call  a  long  trail  together, — for  by  this  time  the 
broad  St.  Lawrence,  or,  perhaps,  the  Great  Lakes  themselves, 
are  atwixt  us." 

"So  much  the  more  reason  why  we  should  not  delay  our 
march,"  returned  Heyward;  "let  us  proceed." 

"Young  blood  and  hot  blood,  they  say,  are  much  the  same 
thing.  We  are  not  about  to  start  on  a  squirrel  hunt,  or  to  drive 
a  deer  into  the  Horican,  but  to  outlie  for  days  and  nights,  and 
to  stretch  across  a  wilderness  where  the  feet  of  men  seldom  go, 
and  where  no  bookish  knowledge  would  carry  you  through 
harmless.  An  Indian  never  starts  on  such  an  expedition  without 
smoking  over  his  council-fire ;  and  though  a  man  of  white  blood, 
I  honor  their  customs  in  this  particular,  seeing  that  they  are  de 
liberate  and  wise.  We  will,  therefore,  go  back,  and  light  our  fire 
to-night  in  the  ruins  of  the  old  fort,  and  in  the  morning  we  shall 
be  fresh,  and  ready  to  undertake  our  work  like  men,  and  not  like 
babbling  women  or  eager  boys." 

Heyward  saw,  by  the  manner  of  the  scout,  that  altercation 
would  be  useless.  Munro  had  again  sunk  into  that  sort  of  apathy 
which  had  beset  him  since  his  late  overwhelming  misfortunes,  and 
from  which  he  was  apparently  to  be  roused  only  by  some  new  and 
powerful  excitement.  Making  a  merit  of  necessity,  the  young 
man  took  the  veteran  by  the  arm,  and  followed  in  the  footsteps 
of  the  Indians  and  the  scout,  who  had  already  begun  to  retrace 
the  path  which  conducted  them  to  the  plain. 


CHAPTER,   XIX 

"Salar. — Why,   I  am   sure,  if  he   forfeit,   thou   wilt  not   take  his   flesh;    what's  that 
good  for?" 

"Shy. — To  bait  fish  withal:  if  it  will  feed  nothing  else,  it  will  feed  my  revenge." 

Merchant  of   Venice. 

THE  shades  of  evening  had  come  to  increase  the  dreariness  of  the 
place,  when  the  party  entered  the  ruins  of  William  Henry.  The 
scout  and  his  companions  immediately  made  their  preparations 
to  pass  the  night  there;  but  with  an  earnestness  and  sobriety  of 
demeanor,  that  betrayed  how  much  the  unusual  horrors  they  had 
just  witnessed  worked  on  even  their  practised  feelings.  A  few 
fragments  of  rafters  were  reared  against  a  blackened  wall;  and 
when  Uncas  had  covered  them  slightly  with  brush,  the  temporary 
accommodations  were  deemed  sufficient.  The  young  Indian 
pointed  towards  his  rude  hut,  when  his  labor  was  ended;  and 
Heyward,  who  understood  the  meaning  of  the  silent  gesture, 
gently  urged  Munro  to  enter.  Leaving  the  bereaved  old  man 
alone  with  his  sorrows,  Duncan  immediately  returned  to  the 
open  air,  too  much  excited  himself  to  seek  the  repose  he  had  rec 
ommended  to  his  veteran  friend. 

While  Hawkeye  and  the  Indians  lighted  their  fire,  and  took 
their  evening's  repast,  a  frugal  meal  of  dried  bear's  meat,  the 
young  man  paid  a  visit  to  that  curtain  of  the  dilapidated  fort 
which  looked  out  on  the  sheet  of  the  Horican.  The  wind  had 
fallen,  and  the  waves  were  already  rolling  on  the  sandy  beach 
beneath  him,  in  a  more  regular  and  tempered  succession.  The 
clouds,  as  if  tired  of  their  furious  chase,  were  breaking  asunder; 
the  heavier  volumes,  gathering  in  black  masses  about  the  horizon, 
while  the  lighter  scud  still  hurried  above  the  water,  or  eddied 
among  the  tops  of  the  mountains,  like  broken  flights  of  birds, 
hovering  around  their  roosts.  Here  and  there,  a  red  and  fiery 
star  struggled  through  the  drifting  vapor,  furnishing  a  lurid 
gleam  of  brightness  to  the  dull  aspect  of  the  heavens.  Within 
the  bosom  of  the  encircling  hills,  an  impenetrable  darkness  had 
already  settled ;  and  the  plain  lay  like  a  vast  and  deserted  charnel- 

196 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  197 

house,  without  omen  or  whisper  to  disturb  the  slumbers  of  its 
numerous  and  hapless  tenants. 

Of  this  scene,  so  chillingly  in  accordance  with  the  past,  Dun 
can  stood  for  many  minutes  a  rapt  observer.  His  eyes  wandered 
from  the  bosom  of  the  mound,  where  the  foresters  were  seated 
around  their  glimmering  fire,  to  the  fainter  light  which  still 
lingered  in  the  skies,  and  then  rested  long  and  anxiously  on  the 
embodied  gloom,  which  lay  like  a  dreary  void  on  that  side  of  him 
where  the  dead  reposed.  He  soon  fancied  that  inexplicable 
sounds  arose  from  the  place,  though  so  indistinct  and  stolen,  as 
to  render  not  only  their  nature  but  even  their  existence  uncertain. 
Ashamed  of  his  apprehensions,  the  young  man  turned  towards 
the  water,  and  strove  to  divert  his  attentions  to  the  mimic  stars 
that  dimly  glimmered  on  its  moving  surface.  Still,  his  too  con 
scious  ears  performed  their  ungrateful  duty,  as  if  to  warn  him 
of  some  lurking  danger.  At  length  a  swift  trampling  seemed 
quite  audibly  to  rush  athwart  the  darkness.  Unable  any  longer 
to  quiet  his  uneasiness,  Duncan  spoke  in  a  low  voice  to  the  scout, 
requesting  him  to  ascend  the  mound  to  the  place  where  he  stood. 
Hawkeye  threw  his  rifle  across  an  arm,  and  complied,  but  with  an 
air  so  unmoved  and  calm,  as  to  prove  how  much  he  counted  on 
the  security  of  their  position. 

"Listen!"  said  Duncan,  when  the  other  placed  himself  delib 
erately  at  his  elbow:  "there  are  suppressed  noises  on  the  plain 
which  may  show  that  Montcalm  has  not  yet  entirely  deserted  his 
conquest." 

"Then  ears  are  better  than  eyes,"  said  the  undisturbed  scout, 
who,  having  just  deposited  a  portion  of  bear  between  his  grind 
ers,  spoke  thick  and  slow,  like  one  whose  mouth  was  doubly  oc 
cupied.  "I,  myself,  saw  him  caged  in  Ty,  with  all  his  host;  for 
your  Frenchers,  when  they  have  done  a  clever  thing,  like  to  get 
back,  and  have  a  dance,  or  a  merry-making,  with  the  women  over 
their  success." 

"I  know  not.  An  Indian  seldom  sleeps  in  war,  and  plunder 
may  keep  a  Huron  here  after  his  tribe  has  departed.  It  would  be 
well  to  extinguish  the  fire,  and  have  a  watch — listen!  you  hear 
the  noise  I  mean!" 

"An  Indian  more  rarely  lurks  about  the  graves.  Though 
ready  to  slay,  and  not  over-regardful  of  the  means,  he  is  com 
monly  content  with  the  scalp,  unless  when  blood  is  hot,  and  tem 
per  up;  but  after  the  spirit  is  once  fairly  gone,  he  forgets  his 


198  THE   LAST   OF    THE    MOHICANS 

enmity,  and  is  willing  to  let  the  dead  find  their  natural  rest. 
Speaking  of  spirits,  Major,  are  you  of  opinion  that  the  heaven 
of  a  redskin  and  of  us  whites  will  be  one  and  the  same?" 

"No  doubt — no  doubt.  I  thought  I  heard  it  again  1  or  was  it 
the  rustling  of  the  leaves  in  the  top  of  the  beech?" 

"For  my  own  part,"  continued  Hawkeye,  turning  his  face, 
for  a  moment,  in  the  direction  indicated  by  Heyward,  but  with  a 
vacant  and  careless  manner,  "I  believe  that  paradise  is  ordained 
for  happiness;  and  that  men  will  be  indulged  in  it  according  to 
their  dispositions  and  gifts.  I  therefore  judge  that  a  redskin  is 
not  far  from  the  truth  when  he  believes  he  is  to  find  them  glorious 
hunting-grounds  of  which  his  traditions  tell;  nor,  for  that  matter, 
do  I  think  it  would  be  any  disparagement  to  a  man  without  a 
cross  to  pass  his  time — 

"You  hear  it  again?"  interrupted  Duncan. 

"Ay,  ay;  when  food  is  scarce,  and  when  food  is  plenty,  a 
wolf  grows  bold,"  said  the  unmoved  scout.  "There  would  be 
picking,  too,  among  the  skins  of  the  devils,  if  there  was  light  and 
time  for  the  sport.  But,  concerning  the  life  that  is  to  come, 
major:  I  have  heard  preachers  say,  in  the  settlements,  that 
heaven  was  a  place  of  rest.  Now  men's  minds  differ  as  to  their 
ideas  of  enjoyment.  For  myself,  and  I  say  it  with  reverence  to 
the  ordering  of  Providence,  it  would  be  no  great  indulgence  to 
be  kept  shut  up  in  those  mansions  of  which  they  preach,  having  a 
natural  longing  for  motion  and  the  chase." 

Duncan,  who  was  now  made  to  understand  the  nature  of  the 
noises  he  had  heard,  answered  with  more  attention  to  the  sub j  ect 
which  the  humor  of  the  scout  had  chosen  for  discussion,  by  say 
ing. — 

"It  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  feelings  that  may  attend  the 

last  great  change." 

"It  would  be  a  change,  indeed,  for  a  man  who  has  passed  his 
days  in  the  open  air,"  returned  the  single-minded  scout;  "and 
who  has  so  often  broken  his  fast  on  the  head-waters  of  the  Hud 
son,  to  sleep  within  sound  of  the  roaring  Mohawk.  But  it  is  a 
comfort  to  know  we  serve  a  merciful  Master,  though  we  do  it 
each  after  his  fashion,  and  with  great  tracts  of  wilderness  atween 
us — what  goes  there?" 

"Is  it  not  the  rushing  of  the  wolves  you  have  mentioned?" 
Hawkeye  slowly  shook  his  head,  and  beckoned  for  Duncan  to 
follow  him  to  a  spot,  to  which  the  glare  from  the  fire  did  not 


THE    LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS  199 

extend.  When  he  had  taken  this  precaution,  the  scout  placed 
himself  in  an  attitude  of  intense  attention,  and  listened  long  and 
keenly  for  a  repetition  of  the  low  sound  that  had  so  unexpectedly 
startled  him.  His  vigilance,  however,  seemed  exercised  in  vain; 
for,  after  a  fruitless  pause,  he  whispered  to  Duncan,— 

"We  must  give  a  call  to  Uncas.  The  boy  has  Indian  senses, 
and  may  hear  what  is  hid  from  us;  for  being  a  white-skin,  I  will 
not  deny  my  nature." 

The  )Toung  Mohican,  who  was  conversing  in  a  low  voice  with 
his  father,  started  as  he  heard  the  moaning  of  an  owl,  and  spring 
ing  on  his  feet  he  looked  towards  the  black  mounds,  as  if  seeking 
the  place  whence  the  sounds  proceeded.  The  scout  repeated  the 
call,  and  in  a  few  moments,  Duncan  saw  the  figure  of  Uncas 
stealing  cautiously  along  the  rampart,  to  the  spot  where  they 
stood. 

Hawkeye  explained  his  wishes  in  a  very  few  words,  which 
were  spoken  in  the  Delaware  tongue.  So  soon  as  Uncas  was  in 
possession  of  the  reason  why  he  was  summoned,  he  threw  himself 
flat  on  the  turf;  where,  to  the  eyes  of  Duncan,  he  appeared  to  lie 
quiet  and  motionless.  Surprised  at  the  immovable  attitude  of 
the  young  warrior,  and  curious  to  observe  the  manner  in  which 
he  employed  his  faculties  to  obtain  the  desired  information,  Hey- 
ward  advanced  a  few  steps,  and  bent  over  the  dark  object,  on 
which  he  had  kept  his  eyes  riveted.  Then  it  was  he  discovered 
that  the  form  of  Uncas  had  vanished,  and  that  he  beheld  only 
the  dark  outline  of  an  inequality  in  the  embankment. 

"What  has  become  of  the  Mohican?"  he  demanded  of  the 
scout,  stepping  back  in  amazement;  "it  was  here  that  I  saw  him 
fall,  and  I  could  have  sworn  that  here  he  yet  remained." 

"Hist!  speak  lower;  for  we  know  not  what  ears  are  open,  and 
the  Mingos  are  a  quick-witted  breed.  As  for  Uncas,  he  is  out  on 
the  plain,  and  the  Maquas,  if  any  such  are  about  us,  will  find 
their  equal." 

"You  think  that  Montcalm  has  not  called  off  all  his  Indians? 
Let  us  give  the  alarm  to  our  companions,  that  we  may  stand  to 
our  arms.  Here  are  five  of  us,  who  are  not  unused  to  meet  an 
enemy." 

"Not  a  word  to  either,  as  you  value  life.  Look  at  the  Saga 
more,  how  like  a  grand  Indian  chief  he  sits  by  the  fire.  If  there 
are  any  skulkers  out  in  the  darkness,  they  will  never  discover  by 
his  countenance  that  we  suspect  danger  at  hand." 


200  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"But  they  may  discover  him,  and  it  will  prove  his  death.  His 
person  can  be  too  plainly  seen  by  the  light  of  that  fire,  and  he 
will  become  the  first  and  most  certain  victim." 

"It  is  undeniable  that  now  you  speak  the  truth,"  returned  the 
scout,  betraying  more  anxiety  than  was  usual;  "yet  what  can  be 
done?  A  single  suspicious  look  might  bring  on  an  attack  before 
we  are  ready  to  receive  it.  He  knows,  by  the  call  I  gave  to 
Uncas,  that  we  have  struck  a  scent:  I  will  tell  him  that  we  are  on 
the  trail  of  the  Mingos;  his  Indian  nature  will  teach  him  how  to 
act." 

The  scout  applied  his  fingers  to  his  mouth,  and  raised  a  low 
hissing  sound,  that  caused  Duncan,  at  first,  to  start  aside,  be 
lieving  that  he  heard  a  serpent.  The  head  of  Chingachgook  was 
resting  on  a  hand,  as  he  sat  musing  by  himself;  but  the  moment 
he  heard  the  warning  of  the  animal  whose  name  he  bore,  it  arose 
to  an  upright  position  and  his  dark  eyes  glanced  swiftly  and 
keenly  on  every  side  of  him.  With  this  sudden  and  perhaps  in 
voluntary  movement,  every  appearance  of  surprise  or  alarm 
ended.  His  rifle  lay  untouched,  and  apparently  unnoticed, 
within  reach  of  his  hand.  The  tomahawk  that  he  had  loosened  in 
his  belt  for  the  sake  of  ease,  was  even  suffered  to  fall  from  its 
usual  situation  to  the  ground,  and  his  form  seemed  to  sink,  like 
that  of  a  man  whose  nerves  and  sinews  were  suffered  to  relax  for 
the  purpose  of  rest.  Cunningly  resuming  his  former  position, 
though  with  a  change  of  hands,  as  if  the  movement  had  been  made 
merely  to  relieve  the  limb,  the  native  awaited  the  result  with  a 
calmness  and  fortitude  that  none  but  an  Indian  warrior  would 
have  known  how  to  exercise. 

But  Heyward  saw  that  while  to  a  less  instructed  eye  the 
Mohican  chief  appeared  to  slumber,  his  nostrils  were  expanded, 
his  head  was  turned  a  little  to  one  side,  as  if  to  assist  the  organs  of 
hearing,  and  that  his  quick  and  rapid  glances  ran  incessantly  over 
every  object,  within  the  power  of  his  vision. 

"See  the  noble  fellow!"  whispered  Hawkeye,  pressing  the 
arm  of  Heyward;  "he  knows  that  a  look  or  a  motion  might  dis- 
cansart  our  schemes,  and  put  us  at  the  mercy  of  them  imps- 
He  was  interrupted  by  the  flash  and  report  of  a  rifle.  The 
air  was  filled  with  sparks  of  fire  around  that  spot  where  the  eyes 
of  Heyward  were  still  fastened  with  admiration  and  wonder.  A 
second  look  told  him  that  Chingachgook  had  disappeared  in  the 
confusion.  In  the  meantime  the  scout  had  thrown  forward  his 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  201 

rifle,  like  one  prepared  for  service,  and  awaited  impatiently  the 
moment  when  an  enemy  might  rise  to  view.  But  with  the  solitary 
and  fruitless  attempt  made  on  the  life  of  Chingachgook,  the 
attack  appeared  to  have  terminated.  Once  or 'twice  the  listeners 
thought  they  could  distinguish  the  distant  rustling  of  bushes,  as 
bodies  of  some  unknown  description  rushed  through  them;  nor 
was  it  long  before  Hawkeye  pointed  out  the  "scampering  of  the 
wolves,"  as  they  fled  precipitately  before  the  passage  of  some 
intruder  on  their  proper  domains.  After  an  impatient  and 
breathless  pause,  a  plunge  was  heard  in  the  water,  and  it  was  im 
mediately  followed  by  the  report  of  another  rifle. 

"There  goes  Uncas!"  said  the  scout;  "the  boy  bears  a  smart 
piece!  I  know  its  crack,  as  well  as  a  father  knows  the  lan 
guage  of  his  child,  for  I  carried  the  gun  myself  until  a  better 
offered." 

"What  can  this  mean?"  demanded  Duncan;  "we  are  watched, 
and,  as  it  v/ould  seem,  marked  for  destruction." 

"Yonder  scattered  brand  can  witness  that  no  good  was  in 
tended,  and  this  Indian  will  testify  that  no  harm  has  been  done," 
returned  the  scout,  dropping  his  rifle  across  his  arm  again,  and 
following  Chingachgook,  who  just  then  reappeared  within  the 
circle  of  light,  into  the  bosom  of  the  works.  "How  is  it,  Saga 
more?  Are  the  Mingos  upon  us  in  earnest,  or  is  it  only  one  of 
those  reptiles  who  hang  upon  the  skirts  of  a  war  party,  to  scalp 
the  dead,  go  in,  and  make  their  boast  among  the  squaws  of  the 
valiant  deeds  done  on  the  pale-faces?" 

Chingachgook  very  quietly  resumed  his  seat;  nor  did  he  make 
any  reply,  until  after  he  had  examined  the  firebrand  which  had 
been  struck  by  the  bullet  that  had  nearly  proved  fatal  to  himself. 
After  which,  he  was  content  to  reply,  holding  a  single  finger  up 
to  view,  with  the  English  monosyllable,— 

"One." 

"I  thought  as  much,"  returned  Hawkeye,  seating  himself; 
"and  as  he  had  got  the  cover  of  the  lake  afore  Uncas  pulled  upon 
him,  it  is  more  than  probable  the  knave  will  sing  his  lies  about 
some  great  ambushment,  in  which  he  was  outlying  on  the  trail  of 
two  Mohicans  and  a  white  hunter — for  the  officers  can  be  con 
sidered  as  little  better  than  idlers  in  such  a  scrimmage.  Well, 
let  him — let  him.  There  are  always  some  honest  men  in  every 
nation,  though  heaven  knows,  too,  that  they  are  scarce  among 
the  Maquas,  to  look  down  an  upstart  when  he  brags  ag'in  the 


202  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

face  of  reason.  The  varlet  sent  his  lead  within  whistle  of  your 
ears,  Sagamore." 

Chingachgook  turned  a  calm  and  incurious  eye  towards  the 
place  where  the  ball  had  struck,  and  then  resumed  his  former 
attitude,  with  a  composure  that  could  not  be  disturbed  by  so 
trifling  an  incident.  Just  then  Uncas  glided  into  the  circle,  and 
seated  himself  at  the  fire,  with  the  same  appearance  of  indiffer 
ence  as  was  maintained  by  his  father. 

Of  these  several  movements  Heyward  was  a  deeply  interested 
and  wondering  observer.  It  appeared  to  him  as  though  the 
foresters  had  some  secret  means  of  intelligence,  which  had  escaped 
the  vigilance  of  his  own  faculties.  In  place  of  that  eager  and 
garrulous  narration  with  which  a  white  youth  would  have  en 
deavored  to  communicate,  and  perhaps  exaggerate,  that  which 
had  passed  out  in  the  darkness  of  the  plain,  the  young  warrior 
was  seemingly  content  to  let  his  deeds  speak  for  themselves.  It 
was,  in  fact,  neither  the  moment  nor  the  occasion  for  an  Indian 
to  boast  of  his  exploits;  and  it  is  probable,  that  had  Heyward 
neglected  to  inquire,  not  another  syllable  would,  just  then,  have 
been  uttered  on  the  subject. 

"What  has  become  of  our  enemy,  Uncas?"  demanded  Dun 
can:  "we  heard  your  rifle,  and  hoped  you  had  not  fired  in  vain." 

The  young  chief  removed  a  fold  of  his  hunting-shirt,  and 
quietly  exposed  the  fatal  tuft  of  hair,  which  he  bore  as  the  symbol 
of  victory.  Chingachgook  laid  his  hand  on  the  scalp,  and  con 
sidered  it  for  a  moment  with  deep  attention.  Then  dropping  it, 
with  disgust  depicted  in  his  strong  features,  he  ejaculated, — 

"Oneida!" 

"Oneida!"  repeated  the  scout,  who  was  fast  losing  his  interest 
in  the  scene,  in  an  apathy  nearly  assimilated  to  that  of  his  red 
associates,  but  who  now  advanced  with  uncommon  earnestness 
to  regard  the  bloody  badge.  "By  the  Lord,  if  the  Oneidas  are 
outlying  upon  the  trail,  we  shall  be  flanked  by  devils  on  every 
side  of  us !  Now,  to  white  eyes  there  is  no  difference  between  this 
bit  of  skin  and  that  of  any  other  Indian,  and  yet  the  Sagamore 
declares  it  came  from  the  poll  of  a  Mingo;  nay,  he  even  names  the 
tribe  of  the  poor  devil  with  as  much  ease  as  if  the  scalp  was  the 
leaf  of  a  book,  and  each  hair  a  letter.  What  right  have  Christian 
whites  to  boast  of  their  learning,  when  a  savage  can  read  a  lan 
guage  that  would  prove  too  much  for  the  wisest  of  them  all! 
What  say  you,  lad;  of  what  people  was  the  knave?" 


THE   LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS  203 

Uncas  raised  his  eyes  to  the  face  of  the  scout,  and  answered, 
in  his  soft  voice,— 

"Oneida." 

"Oneida,  again!  when  one  Indian  makes  a  declaration  it  is 
commonly  true;  but  when  he  is  supported  by  his  people,  set  it 
down  as  gospel!" 

"The  poor  fellow  has  mistaken  us  for  French,"  said  Hey- 
ward;  "or  he  would  not  have  attempted  the  life  of  a  friend." 

"He  mistake  a  Mohican  in  his  paint  for  a  Huron!  You  would 
be  as  likely  to  mistake  the  white-coated  grenadiers  of  Montcahn 
for  the  scarlet  jackets  of  the  'Royal  Americans',''  returned  the 
scout.  "No,  no,  the  sarpent  knew  his  errand;  nor  was  there  any 
great  mistake  in  the  matter,  for  there  is  but  little  love  atween 
a  Delaware  and  a  Mingo,  let  their  tribes  go  out  to  fight  for  whom 
they  may,  in  a  white  quarrel.  For  that  matter,  though  the 
Oneidas  do  serve  his  sacred  majesty,  who  is  my  own  sovereign 
lord  and  master,  I  should  not  have  deliberated  long  about  letting 
off  'Killdeer'  at  the  imp  myself,  had  luck  thrown  him  in  my  way." 

"That  would  have  been  an  abuse  of  our  treaties,  and  un 
worthy  of  your  character." 

"When  a  man  consorts  much  with  a  people,"  continued 
Hawkeye,  "if  they  are  honest  and  he  no  knave,  love  will  grow  up 
atwixt  them.  It  is  true  that  white  cunning  has  managed  to 
throw  the  tribes  into  great  confusion  as  respects  friends  and 
enemies ;  so  that  the  Hurons  and  the  Oneidas,  who  speak  the  same 
tongue,  or  what  may  be  called  the  same,  take  each  other's  scalps, 
and  the  Delawares  are  divided  among  themselves;  a  few  hanging 
about  their  great  council-fire  on  their  own  river,  and  fighting  on 
the  same  side  with  the  Mingos,  while  the  greater  part  are  in  the 
Canadas,  out  of  natural  enmity  to  the  Maquas — thus  throwing 
everything  into  disorder,  and  destroying  all  the  harmony  of  war 
fare.  Yet  a  red  natur'  is  not  likely  to  alter  with  every  shift  of 
policy;  so  that  the  love  atwixt  a  Mohican  and  a  Mingo  is  much 
like  the 'regard  between  a  white  man  and  a  sarpent." 

"I  regret  to  hear  it;  for  I  had  believed  those  natives  who 
dwelt  within  our  boundaries  had  found  us  too  just  and  liberal, 
not  to  identify  themselves  fully  with  our  quarrels." 

"Why,  I  believe  it  is  natur'  to  give  a  preference  to  one's  own 
quarrels  before  those  of  strangers.  Now,  for  myself,  I  do  love 
justice;  and  therefore  I  will  not  say  I  hate  a  Mingo,  for  that  may 
be  unsuitable  to  my  color  and  my  religion,  though  I  will  just  re- 


204  THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS 

peat,  it  may  have  been  owing  to  the  night  that  'Killdeer'  had  no 
hand  in  the  death  of  this  skulking  Onedia." 

Then,  as  if  satisfied  with  the  force  of  his  own  reasons,  what 
ever  might  be  their  effect  on  the  opinions  of  the  other  disputant, 
the  honest  but  implacable  woodsman  turned  from  the  fire,  con 
tent  to  let  the  controversy  slumber.  Heyward  withdrew  to  the 
rampart,  too  uneasy  and  too  little  accustomed  to  the  warfare  of 
the  woods  to  remain  at  ease  under  the  possibility  of  such  insidious 
attacks.  Not  so,  however,  with  the  scout  and  the  Mohicans. 
Those  acute  and  long  practised  senses,  whose  powers  so  often 
exceed  the  limits  of  all  ordinary  credulity,  after  having  detected 
the  danger,  had  enabled  them  to  ascertain  its  magnitude  and 
duration.  Not  one  of  the  three  appeared  in  the  least  to  doubt 
their  perfect  security,  as  was  indicated  by  the  perparations  that 
were  soon  made  to  sit  in  council  over  their  future  proceedings. 

The  confusion  of  nations,  and  even  of  tribes,  to  which  Hawk- 
eye  alluded,  existed  at  that  period  in  the  fullest  force.  The  great 
tie  of  language,  and,  of  course,  of  a  common  origin,  was  severed 
in  many  places ;  and  it  was  one  of  its  consequences,  that  the  Dela 
ware  and  the  Mingo  (as  the  people  of  the  Six  Nations  were 
called)  were  found  fighting  in  the  same  ranks,  while  the  latter 
sought  the  scalp  of  the  Huron,  though  believed  to  be  the  root  of 
his  own  stock.  The  Delawares  were  even  divided  among  them 
selves.  Though  love  for  the  soil  which  had  belonged  to  his  an 
cestors  kept  the  Sagamore  of  the  Mohicans  with  a  small  band  of 
followers  who  were  serving  at  Edward,  under  the  banners  of  the 
English  king,  by  far  the  largest  portion  of  his  nation  were  known 
to  be  in  the  field  as  allies  of  Montcalm.  The  reader  probably 
knows,  if  enough  has  not  already  been  gleaned  from  this  narrative, 
that  the  Delaware,  or  Lenape,  claimed  to  be  the  progenitors  of  that 
numerous  people,  who  once  were  masters  of  most  of  the  Eastern 
and  Northern  States  of  America,  of  whom  the  community  of  the 
Mohicans  was  an  ancient  and  highly  honored  member. 

It  was,  of  course,  with  a  perfect  understanding  of  the  minute 
and  intricate  interest  which  had  armed  friend  against  friend,  and 
brought  natural  enemies  to  combat  by  each  other's  side,  that  the 
scout  and  his  companions  now  disposed  themselves  to  deliberate 
on  the  measures  that  were  to  govern  their  future  movements, 
amid  so  many  jarring  and  savage  races  of  men.  Duncan  knew 
enough  of  Indian  customs  to  understand  the  reason  that  the  fire 
was  replenished,  and  why  the  warriors,  not  excepting  Hawkeye, 


THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  205 

took  their  seats  within  the  curl  of  its  smqke  with  so  much  gravity 
and  decorum.  Placing  himself  at  an  angle  of  the  works,  where 
he  might  be  a  spectator  of  the  scene  within,  while  he  kept  a  watch 
ful  eye  against  any  danger  from  without,  he  awaited  the  result 
with  as  much  patience  as  he  could  summon. 

After  a  short  and  impressive  pause,  Chingachgook  lighted 
a  pipe  whose  bowl  was  curiously  carved  in  one  of  the  soft  stones 
of  the  country,  and  whose  stem  was  a  tube  of  wood,  and  com 
menced  smoking.  When  he  had  inhaled  enough  of  the  fragrance 
of  the  soothing  weed,  he  passed  the  instrument  into  the  hands  of 
the  scout.  In  this  manner  the  pipe  had  made  its  rounds  three 
several  times,  amid  the  most  profound  silence,  before  either  of  the 
party  opened  his  lips.  Then  the  Sagamore,  as  the  oldest  and 
highest  in  rank,  in  a  few  calm  and  dignified  words,  proposed  the 
subject  for  deliberation.  He  was  answered  by  the  scout;  and 
Chingachgook  rejoined,  when  the  other  objected  to  his  opinions. 
But  the  youthful  Uncas  continued  a  silent  and  respectful  listener, 
until  Hawkeye,  in  complaisance,  demanded  his  opinion.  He.y- 
ward  gathered  from  the  manners  of  the  different  speakers,  that 
the  father  and  son  espoused  one  side  of  a  disputed  question,  while 
the  white  man  maintained  the  other.  The  contest  gradually  grew 
warmer,  until  it  was  quite  evident  the  feelings  of  the  speakers 
began  to  be  somewhat  enlisted  in  the  debate. 

Notwithstanding  the  increasing  warmth  of  the  amicable  con 
test,  the  most  decorous  Christian  assembly,  not  even  excepting 
those  in  which  its  reverend  ministers  are  collected,  might  have 
learned  a  wholesome  lesson  of  moderation  from  the  forbearance 
and  courtesy  of  the  disputants.  The  words  of  Uncas  were  re 
ceived  with  the  same  deep  attention  as  those  which  fell  from  the 
maturer  wisdom  of  his  father;  and  so  far  from  manifesting  any 
impatience,  neither  spoke  in  reply,  until  a  few  moments  of  silent 
meditation  were,  seemingly,  bestowed  in  deliberating  on  what  had 
already  been  said. 

The  language  of  the  Mohicans  was  accompanied  by  gestures 
so  direct  and  natural,  that  Heyward  had  but  little  difficulty  in 
following  the  thread  of  their  argument.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
scout  was  obscure;  because,  from  the  lingering  pride  of  color,  he 
rather  affected  the  cold  and  artificial  manner  which  characterizes 
all  classes  of  Anglo-Americans,  when  unexcited.  By  the  fre 
quency  with  which  the  Indians  described  the  marks  of  a  forest 
trail,  it  was  evident  they  urged  a  pursuit  by  land,  while  the  re- 


206  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

peated  sweep  of  Hawkeye's  arm  towards  the  Horican  denoted 
that  he  was  for  a  passage  across  its  waters. 

The  latter  was,  to  every  appearance,  fast  losing  ground,  and 
the  point  was  about  to  be  decided  against  him,  when  he  arose  to 
his  feet,  and  shaking  off  his  apathy,  he  suddenly  assumed  the 
manner  of  an  Indian,  and  adopted  all  the  arts  of  native  elo 
quence.  Elevating  an  arm,  he  pointed  out  the  track  of  the  sun, 
repeating  the  gesture  for  every  day  that  was  necessary  to  accom 
plish  their  object.  Then  he  delineated  a  long  and  painful  path, 
amid  rocks  and  water-courses.  The  age  and  weakness  of  the 
slumbering  and  unconscious  Munro  were  indicated  by  signs  too 
palpable  to  be  mistaken.  Duncan  perceived  that  even  his  own 
powers  were  spoken  lightly  of,  as  the  scout  extended  his  palm, 
and  mentioned  him  by  appellation  of  the  "Open  Hand," — a 
name  his  liberality  had  purchased  of  all  the  friendly  tribes.  Then 
came  a  representation  of  the  light  and  graceful  movements  of  a 
canoe,  set  in  forcible  contrast  to  the  tottering  steps  of  one  en 
feebled  and  tired.  He  concluded  by  pointing  to  the  scalp  of  the 
Oneida,  and  apparently  urging  the  necessity  of  their  departing 
speedily,  and  in  a  manner  that  should  leave  no  trail. 

The  Mohicans  listened  gravely,  and  with  countenances  that 
reflected  the  sentiments  of  the  speaker.  Conviction  gradually 
wrought  its  influence,  and  towards  the  close  of  Hawkeye's  speech, 
his  sentences  were  accompanied  by  the  customary  exclamation 
of  commendation.  In  short,  Uncas  and  his  father  became  con 
verts  to  his  way  of  thinking,  abandoning  their  own  previously 
expressed  opinions  with  a  liberality  and  candor  that,  had  they 
been  the  representatives  of  some  great  and  civilized  people,  would 
have  infallibly  worked  their  political  ruin,  by  destroying,  forever, 
their  reputation  for  consistency. 

The  instant  the  matter  in  discussion  was  decided,  the  debate, 
and  everything  connected  with  it,  except  the  results,  appeared  to 
be  forgotten.  Hawkeye,  without  looking  round  to  read  his  tri 
umph  in  applauding  eyes,  very  composedly  stretched  his  tall 
frame  before  the  dying  embers,  and  closed  his  own  organs  in 
sleep. 

Left  now  in  a  measure  to  themselves,  the  Mohicans,  whose 
time  had  been  so  much  devoted  to  the  interests  of  others,  seized 
the  moment  to  devote  some  attention  to  themselves.  Casting  off, 
at  once,  the  grave  and  austere  demeanor  of  an  Indian  chief, 
Chingachgook  commenced  speaking  to  his  son  in  the  soft  and 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  207 

playful  tones  of  affection.  Uncas  gladly  met  the  familiar  air  of 
his  father ;  and  hef ore  the  hard  breathing  of  the  scout  announced 
that  he  slept,  a  complete  change  was  effected  in  the  manner  of 
his  two  associates. 

It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  music  of  their  language,  while 
thus  engaged  in  laughter  and  endearments,  in  such  a  way  as  to 
render  it  intelligible  to  those  whose  ears  have  never  listened*  to 
its  melody.  The  compass  of  their  voices,  particularly  that  of  the 
youth,  was  wonderful, — extending  from  the  deepest  bass  to  tones 
that  were  even  feminine  in  softness.  The  eyes  of  the  father  fol 
lowed  the  plastic  and  ingenious  movements  of  the  son  with  open 
delight,  and  he  never  failed  to  smile  in  reply  to  the  other's  con 
tagious,  but  low  laughter.  While  under  the  influence  of  these 
gentle  and  natural  feelings,  no  trace  of  ferocity  was  to  be  seen  in 
the  softened  features  of  the  Sagamore.  His  figured  panoply  of 
death  looked  more  like  a  disguise  assumed  in  mockery,  than  a 
fierce  annunciation  of  a  desire  to  carry  destruction  in  his  foot 
steps. 

After  an  hour  passed  in  the  indulgence  of  their  better  feel 
ings,  Chingachgook  abruptly  announced  his  desire  to  sleep,  by 
wrapping  his  head  in  his  blanket,  and  stretching  his  form  on  the 
naked  earth.  The  merriment  of  Uncas  instantly  ceased;  and 
carefully  raking  the  coals  in  such  a  manner  that  they  should  im 
part  their  warmth  to  his  father's  feet,  the  youth  sought  his  own 
pillow  among  the  ruins  of  the  place. 

Imbibing  renewed  confidence  from  the  security  of  these 
experienced  foresters,  Hey  ward  soon  imitated  their  example; 
and  long  before  the  night  had  turned,  they  who  lay  in  the  bosom 
of  the  ruined  work,  seemed  to  slumber  as  heavily  as  the  uncon 
scious  multitude  whose  bones  were  already  beginning  to  bleach 
on  the  surrounding  plain. 


CHAPTER    XX 

"Land  of  Albania !  let  me  bend  mine  eyes 
On  thee,  thou  rugged  nurse  of  savage  men !" 

Childe  Harold. 

THE  heavens  were  still  studded  with  stars,  when  Hawkeye  came 
to  arouse  the  sleepers.  Casting  aside  their  cloaks  Munro  and 
Heyward  were  on  their  feet  while  the  woodsman  was  still  making 
his  low  calls,  at  the  entrance  of  the  rude  shelter  where  they  had 
passed  the'  night.  When  they  issued  from  beneath  its  conceal 
ment,  they  found  the  scout  awaiting  their  appearance  nigh  by, 
and  the  only  salutation  between  them  was  the  significant  gesture 
for  silence,  made  by  their  sagacious  leader. 

"Think  over  your  prayers,"  he  whispered,  as  they  approached 
him;  "for  He  to  whom  you  make  them  knows  all  tongues;  that  of 
the  heart  as  well  as  those  of  the  mouth.  But  speak  not  a  syllable; 
it  is  rare  for  a  white  voice  to  pitch  itself  properly  in  the  woods,  as 
we  have  seen  by  the  example  of  that  miserable  devil,  the  singer. 
Come,"  he  continued,  turning  towards  a  curtain  of  the  works; 
"let  us  get  into  the  ditch  on  this  side,  and  be  regardful  to  step 
on  the  stones  and  fragments  of  wood  as  you  go." 

His  companions  complied,  though  to  two  of  them  the  reasons 
of  this  extraordinary  precaution  were  yet  a  mystery.  When  they 
were  in  the  low  cavity  that  surrounded  the  earthen  fort  on  three 
sides,  they  found  the  passage  nearly  choked  by  the  ruins.  With 
care  and  patience,  however,  they  succeeded  in  clambering  after 
the  scout,  until  they  reached 'the  sandy  shore  of  the  Horican. 

"That's  a  trail  that  nothing  but  a  nose  can  follow,"  said  the 
satisfied  scout,  looking  back  along  their  difficult  way ;  "grass  is  a 
treacherous  carpet  for  a  flying  party  to  tread  on,  but  wood  and 
stone  take  no  print  from  a  moccasin.  Had  you  worn  your  armed 
boots,  there  might,  indeed,  have  been  something  to  fear ;  but  with 
the  deer-skin  suitably  prepared,  a  man  may  trust  himself,  gen 
erally,  on  rocks  with  safety.  Shove  in  the  canoe  nigher  to  the 
land,  Uncas ;  this  sand  will  take  a  stamp  as  easily  as  the  butter  of 
the  Jarmans  on  the  Mohawk.  Softly,  lad,  softly;  it  must  not 

208 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  209 

touch  the  beach,  or  the  knaves  will  know  by  what  road  we  have 
left  the  place." 

The  young  man  observed  the  precaution;  and  the  scout,  lay 
ing  a  board  from  the  ruins  to  the  canoe,  made  a  sign  for  the  two 
officers  to  enter.  When  this  was  done,  everything  was  studiously 
restored  to  its  former  disorder;  and  then  Hawkeye  succeeded  in 
reaching  his  little  birchen  vessel,  without  leaving  behind  him  any 
of  those  marks  which  he  appeared  so  much  to  dread.  Heyward 
was  silent,  until  the  Indians  had  cautiously  paddled  the  canoe 
some  distance  from  the  fort,  and  within  the  broad  and  dark 
shadow  that  fell  from  the  eastern  mountain  on  the  glassy  surface 
of  the  lake ;  then  he  demanded,— 

"What  need  have  we  for  this  stolen  and  hurried  departure?" 

"If  the  blood  of  an  Oneida  could  stain  such  a  sheet  of  pure 
water  as  this  we  float  on,"  returned  the  scout,  "your  two  eyes 
would  answer  your  own  question.  Have  you  forgotten  the 
skulking  reptile  that  Uncas  slew?" 

"By  no  means.  But  he  was  said  to  be  alone,  and  dead  men 
give  no  cause  for  fear." 

"Ay,  he  was  alone  in  his  deviltry!  but  an  Indian  whose  tribe 
counts  so  many  warriors,  need  seldom  fear  his  blood  will  run, 
without  the  death-shriek  coming  speedily  from  some  of  his 
enemies." 

"But  our  presence — the  authority  of  Colonel  Munro — would 
prove  a  sufficient  protection  against  the  anger  of  our  allies,  espe 
cially  in  a  case  where  a  wretch  so  well  merited  his  fate.  I  trust 
in  Heaven  you  have  not  deviated  a  single  foot  from  the  direct  line 
of  our  course,  with  so  slight  a  reason!" 

"Do  you  think  the  bullet  of  that  varlet's  rifle  would  have 
turned  aside,  though  his  majesty  the  king  had  stood  in  its  path?" 
returned  the  stubborn  scout.  "Why  did  not  the  grand  Frencher, 
he  who  is  captain-general  of  the  Canadas,  bury  the  tomahawks 
of  the  Hurons,  if  a  word  from  a  white  can  work  so  strongly  on 
the  natur'  of  an  Indian?" 

The  reply  of  Heyward  was  interrupted  by  a  groan  from 
Munro;  but  after  he  had  paused  a  moment,  in  deference  to  the 
sorrow  of  his  aged  friend,  he  resumed  the  subject. 

"The  Marquis  of  Montcalm  can  only  settle  that  error  with  his 
God,"  said  the  young  man  solemnly. 

"Ay,  ay;  now  there  is  reason  in  your  words,  for  they  are  bot 
tomed  on  religion  and  honesty.  There  is  a  vast  difference  be- 


210  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

tween  throwing  a  regiment  of  white  coats  atwixt  the  tribes  and 
the  prisoners,  and  coaxing  an  angry  savage  to  forget  he  carries 
a  knife  and  a  rifle,  with  words  that  must  begin  with  calling  him 
your  son.  No,  no,"  continued  the  scout,  looking  back  at  the  dim 
shore  of  William  Henry,  which  was  now  fast  receding,  and 
laughing  in  his  own  silent  but  heartfelt  manner;  "I  have  put  a 
trail  of  water  atween  us;  and  unless  the  imps  can  make  friends 
with  the  fishes,  and  hear  who  has  paddled  across  their  basin,  this 
fine  morning,  we  shall  throw  the  length  of  the  Horican  behind  us, 
before  they  have  made  up  their  minds  which  path  to  take." 

"With  foes  in  front,  and  foes  in  our  rear,  our  journey  is  like 
to  be  one  of  danger." 

"Danger!"  repeated  Hawkeye,  calmly;  "no,  not  absolutely  of 
danger ;  for,  with  vigilant  ears  and  quick  eyes,  we  can  manage  to 
keep  a  few  hours  ahead  of  the  knaves ;  or,  if  we  must  try  the  rifle, 
there  are  three  of  us  who  understand  its  gifts  as  well  as  any  you 
can  name  on  the  borders.  No,  not  of  danger;  but  that  we  shall 
have  what  you  may  call  a  brisk  push  of  it  is  probable ;  and  it  may 
happen,  a  brush,  a  skrimmage,  or  some  such  divarsion,  but  always 
where  covers  are  good,  and  ammunition  abundant." 

It  is  possible  that  Heyward's  estimate  of  danger  differed 
in  some  degree  from  that  of  the  scout,  for,  instead  of  replying, 
he  now  sat  in  silence,  while  the  canoe  glided  over  several  miles  of 
water.  Just  as  the  day  dawned,  they  entered  the  narrows  of  the 
lake,1  and  stole  swiftly  and  cautiously  among  their  numberless 
little  islands.  It  was  by  this  road  that  Montcalm  had  retired 
with  his  army ;  and  the  adventurers  knew  not  but  he  had  left  some 
of  his  Indians  in  ambush,  to  protect  the  rear  of  his  forces,  and  col 
lect  the  stragglers.  They,  therefore,  approached  the  passage  with 
the  customary  silence  of  their  guarded  habits. 

Chingachgook  laid  aside  his  paddle ;  while  Uncas  and  the  scout 

i  The  beauties  of  Lake  George  are  well  known  to  every  American  tourist.  In  the 
height  of  the  mountains  which  surround  it,  and  in  artificial  accessories,  it  is  inferior  to 
the  finest  of  the  Swiss  and  Italian  lakes,  while  in  outline  and  purity  of  water  it  is  fully 
their  equal;  and  in  the  number  and  disposition  of  its  isles  and  islets  much  superior  to 
them  all  together.  There  are  said  to  be  some  hundreds  of  islands  in  a  sheet  of  water 
less  than  thirty  miles  long.  The  narrows  which  connect  what  may  be  called,  in  truth, 
two  lakes,  are  crowded  with  islands  to  such  a  degree  as  to  leave  passages  between  them 
frequently  of  only  a  few  feet  in  width.  The  fake  itself  varies  in  breadth  from  one  to 
three  miles. 

The  State  of  New  York  is  remarkable  for  the  number  and  beauty  of  its  lakes.  One 
of  its  frontiers  lies  on  the  vast  sheet  of  Ontario,  while  Champlain  stretches  nearly  a 
hundred  miles  along  another.  Oneida,  Cayuga,  Canandaiguo,  Seneca,  and  George,  are  all 
lakes  of  thirty  miles  in  length,  while  those  of  a  size  smaller  are  without  number.  On 
most  of  these  lakes  there  are  now  beautiful  villages,  and  on  many  of  them  steamboats. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  211 

urged  the  light  vessel  through  crooked  and  intricate  channels, 
where  every  foot  that  they  advanced  exposed  them  to  the  danger 
of  some  sudden  rising  on  their  progress.  The  eyes  of  the  Saga 
more  moved  warily  from  islet  to  islet,  and  copse  to  copse,  as  the 
canoe  proceeded;  and  when  a  clearer  sheet  of  water  permitted, 
his  keen  vision  was  bent  along  the  bald  rocks  and  impending 
forests,  that  frowned  upon  the  narrow  strait. 

Heyward,  who  was  a  doubly  interested  spectator,  as  well  from 
the  beauties  of  the  place  as  from  the  apprehension  natural  to  his 
situation,  was  just  believing  that  he  had  permitted  the  latter  to 
be  excited  without  sufficient  reason,  when  the  paddle  ceased  mov 
ing,  in  obedience  to  a  signal  from  Chingachgook. 

"Hugh!"  exclaimed  Uncas,  nearly  at  the  moment  that  the 
light  tap  his  father  had  made  on  the  side  of  the  canoe  notified 
them  of  the  vicinity  of  danger. 

"What  now?"  asked  the  scout;  "the  lake  is  as  smooth  as  if  the 
winds  had  never  blown,  and  I  can  see  along  its  sheet  for  miles; 
there  is  not  so  much  as  the  black  head  of  a  loon  dotting  the 
water." 

The  Indian  gravely  raised  his  paddle,  and  pointed  in  the 
direction  in  which  his  own  steady  look  was  riveted.  Duncan's 
eyes  followed  the  motion.  A  few  rods  in  their  front  lay  another 
of  the  low  wooded  islets,  but  it  appeared  as  calm  and  peaceful  as 
if  its  solitude  had  .never  been  disturbed  by  the  foot  of  man. 

"I  see  nothing,"  he  said,  "but  land  and  water;  and  a  lovely 
scene  it  is." 

"Hist!"  interrupted  the  scout.  "Ay,  Sagamore,  there  is 
always  a  reason  for  what  you  do.  'Tis  but  a  shade,  and  yet  it  is 
not  natural.  You  see  the  mist,  major,  that  is  rising  above  the 
island;  you  can't  call  it  a  fog,  for  it  is  more  like  a  streak  of  thin 
cloud- 

"It  is  vapor  from  the  water." 

"That  a  child  could  tell.  But  what  is  the  edging  of  blacker 
smoke  that  hangs  along  its  lower  side,  and  which  you  may  trace 
down  into  the  thicket  of  hazel?  'Tis  from  a  fire;  but  one  that, 
in  my  judgment,  has  been  suffered  to  burn  low." 

"Let  us  then  push  for  the  place,  and  relieve  our  doubts,"  said 
the  impatient  Duncan ;  "the  party  must  be  small  that  can  lie  on 
such  a  bit  of  land." 

"If  you  judge  of  Indian  cunning  by  the  rules  you  find  in 
books,  or  by  white  sagacity,  they  will  lead  you  astray,  if  not  to 


212  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

your  death,"  returned  Hawkeye,  examining  the  signs  of  the  place 
with  that  acuteness  which  distinguished  him.  "If  I  may  be  per 
mitted  to  speak  in  this  matter,  it  will  be  to  say,  that  we  have  but 
two  things  to  choose  between:  the  one  is,  to  return,  and  give  up 
all  thoughts  of  following  the  Hurons — 

"Never!"  exclaimed  Heyward,  in  a  voice  far  too  loud  for 
their  circumstances. 

"Well,  well,"  continued  Hawkeye,  making  a  hasty  sign  to 
repress  his  impatience;  "I  am  much  of  your  mind  myself;  though 
I  thought  it  becoming  my  experience  to  tell  the  whole.  \Ve  must 
then  make  a  push,  and  if  the  Indians  or  Frenchers  are  in  the  nar 
rows,  run  the  gauntlet  through  these  toppling  mountains.  Is 
there  reason  in  my  words,  Sagamore?" 

The  Indian  made  no  other  answer  than  by  dropping  his 
paddle  into  the  water,  and  urging  forward  the  canoe.  As  he  held 
the  office  of  directing  its  course,  his  resolution  was  sufficiently  in 
dicated  by  the  movement.  The  whole  party  now  plied  their 
paddles  vigorously,  and  in  a  very  few  moments  they  had  reached 
a  point  whence  they  might  command  an  entire  view  of  the  north 
ern  shore  of  the  island,  the  side  that  had  hitherto  been  concealed. 

"There  they  are,  by  all  the  truth  of  signs."  whispered  the 
scout;  "two  canoes  and  a  smoke.  The  knaves  haven't  yet  got 
their  eyes  out  of  the  mist,  or  we  should  hear  the  accursed  whoop. 
Together,  friend!  we  are  leaving  them,  and  are  already  nearly 
out  of  whistle  of  a  bullet." 

The  well  known  crack  of  a  rifle,  whose  ball  came  skipping 
along  the  placid  surface  of  the  strait,  and  a  shrill  yell  from  the 
island,  interrupted  his  speech,  and  announced  that  their  passage 
was  discovered.  In  another  instant  several  savages  were  seen 
rushing  into  the  canoes,  which  were  soon  dancing  over  the  water, 
in  pursuit.  These  fearful  precursors  of  a  coming  struggle  pro 
duced  no  change  in  the  countenances  and  movements  of  his  three 
guides,  so  far  as  Duncan  could  discover,  except  that  the  strokes 
of  their  paddles  were  longer  and  more  in  unison,  and  caused  the 
little  bark  to  spring  forward  like  a  creature  possessing  life  and 
volition. 

"Hold  them  there,  Sagamore,"  said  Hawkeye,  looking  coolly 
backward  over  his  left  shoulder,  while  he  still  plied  his  paddle; 
"keep  them  just  there.  Them  Hurons  have  never  a  piece  in  their 
nation  that  will  execute  at  this  distance;  but  'Killdeer'  has  a 
barrel  on  which  a  man  may  calculate." 


THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS  213 

The  scout  having  ascertained  that  the  Mohicans  were  suf 
ficient  of  themselves  to  maintain  the  requisite  distance,  deliber 
ately  laid  aside  his  paddle,  and  raised  the  fatal  rifle.  Three 
several  times  he  brought  the  piece  to  his  shoulder,  and  when  his 
companions  were  expecting  its  report,  he  as  often  lowered  it  to 
request  the  Indians  would  permit  their  enemies  to  approach  a  little 
nigher.  At  length  his  accurate  and  fastidious  eye  seemed  satis 
fied,  and  throwing  out  his  left  arm  on  the  barrel,  he  was  slowly 
elevating  the  muzzle,  when  an  exclamation  from  Uncas,  who  sat 
in  the  bow,  once  more  caused  him  to  suspend  the  shot. 

"What  now,  lad?"  demanded  Hawkeye;  "you  saved  a  Huron 
from  the  death-shriek  by  that  word;  have  you  reason  for  what 
you  do?" 

Uncas  pointed  towards  the  rocky  shore  a  little  in  their  front, 
whence  another  war  canoe  was  darting  directly  across  their 
course.  It  was  too  obvious  now  that  their  situation  was  immi 
nently  perilous  to  need  the  aid  of  language  to  confirm  it.  The 
scout  laid  aside  his  rifle,  and  resumed  the  paddle,  while  Chingach- 
gook  inclined  the  bows  of  the  canoe  a  little  towards  the  western 
shore,  in  order  to  increase  the  distance  between  them  and  this 
new  enemy.  In  the  meantime  they  were  reminded  of  the  presence 
of  those  who  pressed  upon  their  rear,  by  wild  and  exulting  shouts. 
The  stirring  scene  awakened  even  Munro  from  his  apathy. 

"Let  us  make  for  the  rocks  on  the  main,"  he  said,  with  the 
mien  of  a  tired  soldier,  "and  give  battle  to  the  savages.  God  for 
bid  that  I,  or  those  attached  to  me  and  mine,  should  ever  trust 
again  to  the  faith  of  any  servant  of  the  Louis's!" 

"He  who  wishes  to  prosper  in  Indian  warfare,"  returned  the 
scout,  "must  not  be  too  proud  to  learn  from  the  wit  of  a  native. 
Lay  her  more  along  the  land,  Sagamore;  we  are  doubling  on  the 
varlets,  and  perhaps  they  may  try  to  strike  our  trail  on  the  long 
calculation." 

Hawkeye  was  not  mistaken ;  for  when  the  Hurons  found 
their  course  was  likely  to  throw  them  behind  their  chase,  they 
rendered  it  less  direct,  until,  by  gradually  bearing  more  and  more 
obliquely,  the  two  canoes  were  ere  long,  gliding  on  parallel  lines, 
within  two  hundred  yards  of  each  other.  It  now  became  entirely 
a  trial  of  speed.  So  rapid  was  the  progress  of  the  light  vessels, 
that  the  lake  curled  in  their  front,  in  miniature  waves,  and  their 
motion  became  undulating  by  its  own  velocity.  It  was,  perhaps, 
owing  to  this  circumstance,  in  addition  to  the  necessity  of  keep- 


214  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

ing  every  hand  employed  at  the  paddles,  that  the  Hurons  had  not 
immediate  recourse  to  their  fire-arms.  The  exertions  of  the  fugi 
tives  were  too  severe  to  continue  long,  and  the  pursuers  had  the 
advantage  of  numbers.  Duncan  observed,  with  uneasiness,  that 
the  scout  began  to  look  anxiously  about  him,  as  if  searching  for 
some  further  means  of  assisting  their  flight. 

"Edge  her  a  little  more  from  the  sun,  Sagamore,"  said  the 
stubborn  woodsman;  "I  see  the  knaves  are  sparing  a  man  to  the 
rifle.  A  single  broken  bone  might  lose  us  our  scalps.  Edge  more 
from  the  sun  and  we  will  put  the  island  between  us." 

The  expedient  was  not  without  its  use.  A  long,  low  island 
lay  at  a  little  distance  before  them,  and  as  they  closed  with  it,  the 
chasing  canoe  was  compelled  to  take  a  side  opposite  to  that  on 
which  the  pursued  passed.  The  scout  and  his  companions  did  not 
neglect  this  advantage,  but  the  instant  they  were  hid  from  obser 
vation  by  the  bushes,  they  redoubled  efforts  that  before  had 
seemed  prodigious.  The  two  canoes  came  round  the  last  low 
point,  like  two  coursers  at  the  top  of  their  speed,  the  fugitives 
taking  the  lead.  This  change  had  brought  them  nigher  to  each 
other,  however,  while  it  altered  their  relative  positions. 

"You  showed  knowledge  in  the  shaping  of  birchen  bark, 
Uncas,  when  you  chose  this  from  among  the  Huron  canoes,"  said 
the  scout,  smiling,  apparently  more  in  satisfaction  at  their  superi 
ority  in  the  race,  than  from  that  prospect  of  final  escape  which 
now  began  to  open  a  little  upon  them.  "The  imps  have  put  all 
their  strength  again  at  the  paddles,  and  we  are  to  struggle  for 
our  scalps  with  bits  of  flattened  wood,  instead  of  clouded  barrels 
and  true  eyes.  A  long  stroke,  and  together,  friends." 

"They  are  preparing  for  a  shot,"  said  Heyward;  "and  as  we 
are  in  a  line  with  them,  it  can  scarcely  fail." 

"Get  you  then  into  the  bottom  of  the  canoe,"  returned  the 
scout;  "you  and  the  colonel;  it  will  be  so' much  taken  from  the 
size  of  the  mark." 

Heyward  smiled,  as  he  answered,— 

"It  would  be  but  an  ill  example  for  the  highest  in  rank  to 
dodge,  while  the  warriors  were  under  fire!" 

"Lord!  Lord!  That  is  now  a  white  man's  courage!"  exclaimed 
the  scout;  "and  like  too  many  of  his  notions,  not  to  be  maintained 
by  reason.  Do  you  think  the  Sagamore,  or  Uncas,  or  even  I, 
who  am  a  man  without  a  cross,  would  deliberate  about  finding  a 
cover  in  the  skrimmage,  when  an  open  body  would  do  no  good? 


THE   FLIGHT  ACROSS  THE   LAKE 

The  scoul  having  ascertained  that  the  Mohicans  were 
sufficient  of  themselves  to  maintain  the  requisite  dis 
tance,  deliberately  laid  aside  his  paddle,  and  raised 
the  fatal  rifle 


'J     -eZ' 


THE   I  LIGHT   ACROSS   THE   LAKE 

The  scout  having  ascertained  that  the  .\fohicans  u'ere 
sufficient  of  (Aenue/iMI  to  maintain  the  reauisttc  Jit- 
lance,  deliberately  laid  aside  his  oaddle,  and  raised 
the  fatal  rifle 


THE   LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  215 

For  what  have  the  Frenchers  reared  up  their  Quebec,  if  fighting 
is  always  to  be  done  in  the  clearings?" 

"All  that  you  say  is  very  true,  my  friend,"  replied  Hey- 
ward;  "still,  our  customs  must  prevent  us  from  doing  as  you 
wish." 

A  volley  from  the  Hurons  interrupted  the  discourse,  and 
as  the  bullets  whistled  about  them,  Duncan  saw  the  head  of  Uncas 
turned,  looking  back  at  himself  and  Munro.  Notwithstanding 
the  nearness  of  the  enemy,  and  his  own  great  personal  danger, 
the  countenance  of  the  young  warrior  expressed  no  other  emo 
tion,  as  the  former  was  compelled  to  think,  than  amazement  at 
finding  men  willing  to  encounter  so  useless  an  exposure.  Chin- 
gachgook  was  probably  better  acquainted  with  the  notions  of 
white  men,  for  he  did  not  even  cast  a  glance  aside  from  the  riveted 
look  his  eye  maintained  on  the  object  by  which  he  governed  their 
course.  A  ball  soon  struck  the  light  and  polished  paddle  from 
the  hands  of  the  chief,  and  drove  it  through  the  air,  far  in  the 
advance.  A  shout  arose  from  the  Hurons,  who  seized  the  oppor 
tunity  to  fire  another  volley.  Uncas  described  an  arc  in  the 
water  with  his  own  blade,  and  as  the  canoe  passed  swiftly  on, 
Chingachgook  recovered  his  paddle,  and  flourishing  it  on  high,  he 
gave  the  war-whoop  of  the  Mohicans,  and  then  lent  his  strength 
and  skill  again  to  the  important  task. 

The  clamorous  sounds  of  "Le  Gros  Serpent!"  "La  Longue 
Carabine!"  "Le  Cerf  Agile!"  burst  at  once  from  the  canoes 
behind,  and  seemed  to  give  new  zeal  to  the  pursuers.  The  scout 
seized  "Killdeer"  in  his  left  hand,  and  elevating  it  above  his  head, 
he  shook  it  in  triumph  at  his  enemies.  The  savages  answered  the 
insult  with  a  yell,  and  immediately  another  volley  succeeded.  The 
bullets  pattered  along  the  lake,  and  one  even  pierced  the  bark  of 
their  little  vessel.  No  perceptible  emotion  could  be  discovered 
in  the  Mohicans  during  this  critical  moment,  their  rigid  features 
expressing  neither  hope  nor  alarm ;  but  the  scout  again  turned  his 
head,  and  laughing  in  his  own  silent  manner,  he  said  to  Hey- 
ward, — 

"The  knaves  love  to  hear  the  sounds  of  their  pieces ;  but  the 
eye  is  not  to  be  found  among  the  Mingos  that  can  calculate  a  true 
range  in  a  dancing  canoe!  You  see  the  dumb  devils  have  taken 
off  a  man  to  charge,  and  by  the  smallest  measurement  that  can  be 
allowed,  we  move  three  feet  to  their  two!" 

Duncan,  who  was  not  altogther  as  easy  under  this  nice  esti- 


216  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

mate  of  distances  as  his  companions,  was  glad  to  find,  however, 
that  owing  to  their  superior  dexterity,  and  the  diversion  among 
their  enemies,  they  were  very  sensibly  obtaining  the  advantage. 
The  Hurons  soon  fired  again,  and  a  bullet  struck  the  blade  of 
"Hawkeye's  paddle  without  injury. 

"That  will  do,"  said  the  scout,  examining  the  slight  indenta 
tion  with  a  curious  eye;  "it  would  not  have  cut  the  skin  of  an 
infant,  much  less  of  men,  who,  like  us,  have  been  blown  upon  by 
the  heavens  in  their  anger.  Now,  major,  if  you  will  try  to  use  this 
piece  of  flattened  wood,  I'll  let  'Killdeer'  take  a  part  in  the  con 
versation." 

Heyward  seized  the  paddle,  and  applied  himself  to  the  work 
with  an  eagernes's  that  supplied  the  place  of  skill,  while  Hawkeye 
was  engaged  in  inspecting  the  priming  of  his  rifle.  The  latter 
then  took  a  swift  aim,  and  fired.  The  Huron  in  the  bows  of  the 
leading  canoe  had  risen  with  a  similar  object,  and  he  now  fell 
backward,  suffering  his  gun  to  escape  from  his  hands  into  the 
water.  In  an  instant,  however,  he  recovered  his  feet,  though  his 
gestures  were  wild  and  bewildered.  At  the  same  moment  his 
companions  suspended  their  efforts,  and  the  chasing  canoes  clus 
tered  together,  and  became  stationary.  Chingachgook  and  Uncas 
profited  by  the  interval  to  regain  their  wind,  though  Duncan 
continued  to  work  with  the  most  persevering  industry.  The 
father  and  son  now  cast  calm  but  inquiring  glances  at  each  other, 
to  learn  if  either  had  sustained  any  injury  by  the  fire;  for  both 
well  knew  that  no  cry  or  exclamation  would,  hi  such  a  moment 
of  necessity,  have  been  permitted  to  betray  the  accident.  A  few 
large  drops  of  blood  were  trickling  down  the  shoulder  of  the 
Sagamore,  who,  when  he  perceived  that  the  eyes  of  Uncas  dwelt 
too  long  on  the  sight,  raised  some  water  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand, 
and  washing  off  the  stain,  was  content  to  manifest,  in  this  .simple 
manner,  the  slightness  of  the  injury. 

"Softly,  softly,  major,"  said  the  scout,  who  by  this  time  had 
reloaded  his  rifle;  "we  are  a  little  too  far  already  for  a  rifle  to  put 
forth  its  beauties,  and  you  see  yonder  imps  are  holding  a  council. 
Let  them  come  up  within  striking  distance— my  eye  may  well  be 
trusted  in  such  a  matter — and  I  will  trail  the  varlets  the  length  of 
the  Horican,  guaranteeing  that  not  a  shot  of  theirs  shall,  at  the 
worst,  more  than  break  the  skin,  while  'Killdeer'  shall  touch  the 
life  twice  in  three  times." 

"We  forget  our  errand,"  returned  the  diligent  Duncan.  "For 


THE   LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS  217 

God's  sake  let  us  profit  by  this  advantage,  and  increase  our  dis 
tance  from  the  enemy." 

"Give  me  my  children,"  said  Munro  hoarsely ;  "trifle  no  longer 
with  a  father's  agony,  hut  restore  me  my  babes." 

Long  and  habitual  deference  to  the  mandates  of  his  superiors 
had  taught  the  scout  the  virtue  of  obedience.  Throwing  a  last 
and  lingering  glance  at  the  distant  canoes,  he  laid  aside  his  rifle, 
and  relieving  the  wearied  Duncan,  resumed  the  paddle,  which  he 
wielded  with  sinews  that  never  tired.  His  efforts  were  seconded 
by  those  of  the  Mohicans,  and  a  very  few  minutes  served  to  place 
such  a  sheet  of  water  between  them  and  their  enemies,  that  Hey- 
ward  once  more  breathed  freely. 

The  lake  now  began  to  expand,  and  their  route  lay  along  a 
wide  reach,  that  was  lined,  as  before,  by  high  and  ragged  moun 
tains.  But  the  islands  were  few,  and  easily  avoided.  The  strokes 
of  the  paddles  grew  more  measured  and  regular,  while  they  who 
plied  them  continued  their  labor,  after  the  close  and  deadly  chase 
from  which  they  had  just  relieved  themselves,  with  as  much  cool 
ness  as  though  their  speed  had  been  tried  in  sport,  rather  than 
under  such  pressing,  nay,  almost  desperate  circumstances. 

Instead  of  following  the  western  shore,  whither  their  errand 
led  them,  the  wary  Mohican  inclined  his  course  more  towards 
those  hills  behind  which  Montcalm  was  known  to  have  led  his 
army  into  the  formidable  fortress  of  Ticonderoga.  As  the 
Hurons,  to  every  appearance,  had  abandoned  the  pursuit,  there 
was  no  apparent  reason  for  this  excess  of  caution.  It  was,  how 
ever,  maintained  for  hours,  until  they  had  reached  a  bay,  nigh 
the  northern  termination  of  the  lake.  Here  the  canoe  was  driven 
upon  the  beach,  and  the  whole  party  landed.  Hawkeye  and 
Hey  ward  ascended  an  adjacent  bluff,  where  the  former,  after 
considering  the  expanse  of  water  beneath  him,  pointed  out  to  the 
latter  a  small  black  object,  hovering  under  a  headland,  at  the  dis 
tance  of  several  miles. 

"Do  you  see  it?"  demanded  the  scout.  "Now,  what  would 
you  account  that  spot,  were  you  left  alone  to  white  experience  to 
find  your  way  through  this  wilderness?" 

"But  for  its  distance  and  its  magnitude,  I  should  suppose  it 
a  bird.  Can  it  be  a  living  object?" 

'Tis  a  canoe  of  good  birchen  bark,  and  paddled  by  fierce 
and  crafty  Mingos.  Though  Providence  has  lent  to  those  who 
inhabit  the  woods  eyes  that  would  be  needless  to  men  in  the  settle- 


218  THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS 

ments,  where  there  are  inventions  to  assist  the  sight,  yet  no 
human  organs  can  see  all  the  dangers  which  at  this  moment  cir 
cumvent  us.  These  varlets  pretend  to  be  bent  chiefly  on  their 
sun-down  meal,  but  the  moment  it  is  dark  they  will  be  on  our 
trail,  as  true  as  hounds  on  the  scent.  We  must  throw  them  off, 
or  our  pursuit  of  Le  Renard  Subtil  may  be  given  up.  These 
lakes  are  useful  at  times,  especially  when  the  game  takes  the 
water,"  continued  the  scout,  gazing  about  him  with  a  countenance 
of  concern;  "but  they  give  no  cover,  except  it  be  to  the  fishes. 
God  knows  what  the  country  would  be,  if  the  settlements  should 
ever  spread  far  from  the  two  rivers.  Both  hunting  and  war 
would  lose  their  beauty." 

"Let  us  not  delay  a  moment,  without  some  good  and  obvious 
cause." 

"I  little  like  that  smoke,  which  you  may  see  worming  up  along 
the  rock  above  the  canoe,"  interrupted  the  abstracted  scout.  "My 
life  on  it,  other  eyes  than  ours  see  it,  and  know  its  meaning. 
Well,  words  will  not  mend  the  matter,  and  it  is  time  that  we 
were  doing." 

Hawkeye  moved  away  from  the  look-out,  and  descended, 
musing  profoundly,  to  the  shore.  He  communicated  the  result 
of  his  observations  to  his  companions,  in  Delaware,  and  a  short 
and  earnest  consultation  succeeded.  When  it  terminated,  the 
three  instantly  set  about  executing  their  new  resolutions. 

The  canoe  was  lifted  from  the  water,  and  borne  on  the  shoul 
ders  of  the  party.  They  proceeded  into  the  wood,  making  as 
broad  and  obvious  a  trail  as  possible.  They  soon  reached  a  water 
course,  which  they  crossed,  and  continued  onward,  until  they 
came  to  an  extensive  and  naked  rock.  At  this  point,  where  their 
footsteps  might  be  expected  to  be  no  longer  visible,  they  retraced 
their  route  to  the  brook,  walking  backwards,  with  the  utmost 
care.  They  now  followed  the  bed  of  the  little  stream  to  the  lake, 
into  which  they  immediately  launched  their  canoe  again.  A  low 
point  concealed  them  from  the  headland,  and  the  margin  of  the 
lake  was  fringed  for  some  distance  with  dense  and  overhanging 
bushes.  Under  the  cover  of  these  natural  advantages,  they  toiled 
their  way,  with  patient  industry,  until  the  scout  pronounced  that 
he  believed  it  would  be  safe  once  more  to  land. 

The  halt  continued  until  evening  rendered  objects  indistinct 
and  uncertain  to  the  eye.  Then  they  resumed  their  route,  and, 
favored  by  the  darkness,  pushed  silently  and  vigorously  towards 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  219 

the  western  shore.  Although  the  rugged  outline  of  mountain, 
to  which  they  were  steering,  presented  no  distinctive  marks  to  the 
eyes  of  Duncan,  the  Mohican  entered  the  little  haven  he  had 
selected  with  the  confidence  and  accuracy  of  an  experienced  pilot. 
The  boat  was  again  lifted  and  borne  into  the  woods  where  it 
was  carefully  concealed  under  a  pile  of  brush.  The  adventurers 
assumed  their  arms  and  packs,  and  the  scout  announced  to  Munro 
and  Hey  ward  that  he  and  the  Indians  were  at  last  in  readiness 
to  proceed. 


CHAPTER    XXI 

"If  you  find  a  man  there,  he  shall  die  a  flea's  death." 

Merry  Wires  of  Windsor. 

THE  party  had  landed  on  the  border  of  a  region  that  is,  even  to 
this  day,  less  known  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  States,  than  the 
deserts  of  Arabia,  or  the  steppes  of  Tartary.  It  was  the  sterile 
and  rugged  district  which  separates  the  tributaries  of  Champlain 
from  those  of  the  Hudson,  the  Mohawk,  and  the  St.  Lawrence. 
Since  the  period  of  our  tale,  the  active  spirit  of  the  country  has 
surrounded  it  with  a  belt  of  rich  and  thriving  settlements,  though 
none  but  the  hunter  or  the  savage  is  ever  known,  even  now,  to 
penetrate  its  wild  recesses. 

As  Hawkeye  and  the  Mohicans  had,  however,  often  traversed 
the  mountains  and  valleys  of  this  vast  wilderness,  they  did  not 
hesitate  to  plunge  into  its  depths,  with  the  freedom  of  .men  accus 
tomed  to  its  privations  and  difficulties.  For  many  hours  the 
travellers  toiled  on  their  laborious  way,  guided  by  a  star,  or  fol 
lowing  the  direction  of  some  water-course,  until  the  scout  called  a 
halt,  and  holding  a  short  consultation  with  the  Indians,  they 
lighted  their  fire,  and  made  the  usual  preparations  to  pass  the 
remainder  of  the  night  where  they  then  were. 

Imitating  the  example,  and  emulating  the  confidence,  of  their 
more  experienced  associates,  Munro  and  Duncan  slept  without 
fear,  if  not  without  uneasiness.  The  dews  were  suffered  to 
exhale,  and  the  sun  dispersed  the  mists,  and  was  shedding  a 
strong  and  clear  light  in  the  forest,  when  the  travellers  resumed 
their  journey. 

After  proceeding  a  few  miles,  the  progress  of  Hawkeye,  who 
led  the  advance,  became  more  deliberate  and  watchful.  He  often 
stopped  to  examine  the  trees ;  jior  did  he  cross  a  rivulet,  without 
attentively  considering  the  quantity,  the  velocity,  and  the  color 
of  its  waters.  Distrusting  his  own  judgment  his  appeals  to  the 
opinion  of  Chingachgook  were  frequent  and  earnest.  During 
one  of  these  conferences,  Heyward  observed  that  Uncas  stood 

220 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  221 

a  patient  and  silent,  though,  as  he  imagined,  an  interested  listener. 
He  was  strongly  tempted  to  address  the  young  chief,  and  demand 
his  opinion  of  their  progress ;  but  the  calm  and  dignified  demeanor 
of  the  native  induced  him  to  believe  that,  Eke  himself,  the  other 
was  wholly  dependent  on  the  sagacity  and  intelligence  of  the 
seniors  of  the  party.  At  last,  the  scout  spoke  in  English,  and  at 
once  explained  the  embarrassment  of  their  situation. 

"When  I  found  that  the  home  path  of  the  Hurons  run  north," 
he  said,  "it  did  not  need  the  judgment  of  many  long  years  to  tell 
that  they  would  follow  the  valleys,  and  keep  atween  the  waters  of 
the  Hudson  and  the  Horican,  until  they  might  strike  the  springs 
of  the  Canada  streams,  which  would  lead- them  into  the  heart  of 
the  country  of  the  Frenchers.  Yet  here  are  we,  within  a  short 
range  of  the  Scaroon,  and  not  a  sign  of  a  trail  have  we  crossed! 
Human  natur'  is  weak,  and  it  is  possible  we  may  not  have  taken 
the  proper  scent." 

"Heaven  protect  us  from  such  an  error!"  exclaimed  Duncan. 
"Let  us  retrace  our  steps,  and  examine  as  we  go,  with  keener  eyes. 
Has  Uncas  no  counsel  to  offer  in  such  a  strait?" 

The  young  Mohican  cast  a  glance  at  his  father,  but  maintain 
ing  his  quiet  and  reserved  mien,  he  continued  silent.  Chingach- 
gook  had  caught  the  look,  and  motioning  with  his  hand,  he  bade 
him  speak.  The  moment  this  permission  was  accorded,  the  coun 
tenance  of  Uncas  changed  from  its  grave  composure  to  a  gleam 
of  intelligence  and  joy.  Bounding  forward  like  a  deer,  he  sprang 
up  the  side  of  a  little  acclivity,  a  few  rods  in  advance,  and  stood 
exultingly  over  a  spot  of  fresh  earth  that  looked  as  though  it  had 
been  recently  upturned  by  the  passage  of  some  heavy  animal. 
The  eyes  of  the  wrhole  party  followed  the  unexpected  move 
ment,  and  read  their  success  in  the  air  of  triumph  that  the  youth 
assumed. 

"  'Tis  the  trail!"  exclaimed  the  scout,  advancing  to  the  spot: 
"the  lad  is  quick  of  sight  and  keen  of  wit  for  his  years." 

"  'Tis  extraordinary  that  he  should  have  withheld  his  knowl 
edge  so  long,"  muttered  Duncan,  at  his  elbow. 

"It  would  have  been  more  wonderful  had  he  spoken  without 
a  bidding.  No,  no;  your  young  white,  who  gathers  his  learning 
from  books  and  can  measure  what  he  knows  by  the  page,  may 
conceit  that  his  knowledge,  like  his  legs,  outruns  that  of  his 
father;  but  where  experience  is  the  master,  the  scholar  is  made  to 
know  the  value  of  years,  and  respects  them  accordingly." 


222  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Seel"  said  Uncas,  pointing  north  and  south,  at  the  evident 
marks  of  the  broad  trail  on  either  side  of  him:  "the  dark-hair  has 
gone  towards  the  frost." 

"Hound  never  ran  on  a  more  beautiful  scent,"  responded  the 
scout,  dashing  forward,  at  once,  on  the  indicated  route;  "we  are 
favored,  greatly  favored,  and  can  follow  with  high  noses.  Ay, 
here  are  both  your  waddling  beasts:  this  Huron  travels  like  a 
white  general.  The  fellow  is  stricken  with  a  judgment,  and  is 
mad!  Look  sharp  for  wheels,  Sagamore,"  he  continued,  looking 
back,  and  laughing  in  his  newly  awakened  satisfaction;  "we  shall 
soon  have  the  fool  journeying  in  a  coach,  and  that  with  three  of 
the  best  pair  of  eyes  on  the  borders,,  in  his  rear." 

The  spirits  of  the  scout,  and  the  astonishing  success  of  the 
chase,  in  which  a  circuitous  distance  of  more  than  forty  miles  had 
been  passed,  did  not  fail  to  impart  a  portion  of  hope  to  the  whole 
party.  Their  advance  was  rapid;  and  made  with  as  much  con 
fidence  as  a  traveller  would  proceed  along  a  wide  highway.  If 
a  rock,  or  a  rivulet,  or  a  bit  of  earth  harder  than  common,  severed 
the  links  of  the  clue  they  followed,  the  true  eye  of  the  scout  re 
covered  them  at  a  distance,  and  seldom  rendered  the  delay  of  a 
single  moment  necessary.  Their  progress  was  much  facilitated 
by  the  certainty  that  Magua  had  found  it  necessary  to  journey 
through  the  valleys;  a  circumstance  which  rendered  the  general 
direction  of  the  route  sure.  Nor  had  the  Huron  entirely  neg 
lected  the  arts  uniformly  practised  by  the  natives  when  .retiring 
in  front  of  any  enemy.  False  trails,  and  sudden  turnings,  were 
frequent,  wherever  a  brook,  or  the  formation  of  the  ground,  ren 
dered  them  feasible;  but  his  pursuers  were  rarely  deceived,  and 
never  failed  to  detect  their  error,  before  they  had  lost  either  time 
or  distance  on  the  deceptive  track. 

By  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  they  had  passed  the  Scaroon, 
and  were  following  the  route  of  the  declining  sun.  After  de 
scending  an  eminence  to  a  low  bottom,  through  which  a  stream 
glided,  they  suddenly  came  to  a  place  where  the  party  of  Le 
Renard  had  made  a  halt.  Extinguished  brands  were  lying 
around  a  spring,  the  offals  of  a  deer  were  scattered  about  the 
place,  and  the  trees  bore  evident  marks  of  having  been  browsed 
by  the  horses.  At  a  little  distance,  Heyward  discovered,  and 
contemplated  with  tender  emotion,  the  small  bower  under  which 
he  was  fain  to  believe  that  Cora  and  Alice  had  reposed.  But 
while  the  earth  was  trodden,  and  the  footsteps  of  both  men  and 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  223 

beasts  were  so  plainly  visible  around  the  place,  the  trail  appeared 
to  have  suddenly  ended. 

It  was  easy  to  follow  the  track  of  the  Narragansetts,  but  they 
seemed  only  to  have  wandered  without  guides,  or  any  other  ob 
ject  than  the  pursuit  of  food.  At  length  Uncas,  who,  with  his 
father,  had  endeavored  to  trace  the  route  of  the  horses,  came 
upon  a  sign  of  their  presence  that  was  quite  recent.  Before  fol 
lowing  the  clue,  he  communicated  his  success  to  his  companions; 
and  while  the  latter  were  consulting  on  the  circumstance,  the 
youth  reappeared,  leading  the  two  fillies,  with  their  saddles 
broken,  and  the  housings  soiled,  as  though  they  had  been  per 
mitted  to  run  at  will  for  several  days. 

"What  should  this  mean?"  said  Duncan,  turning  pale,  and 
glancing  his  eyes  around  him,  as  if  he  feared  the  brush  and  leaves 
were  about  to  give  up  some  horrid  secret. 

"That  our  march  is  come  to  a  quick  end,  and  that  we  are  in 
an  enemy's  country,"  returned  the  scout.  "Had  the  knaves  been 
pressed,  and  the  gentle  ones  wanted  horses  to  keep  up  with  the 
party,  he  might  have  taken  their  scalps;  but  without  an  enemy 
at  his  heels,  and  with  such  rugged  beasts  as  these,  he  would  not 
hurt  a  hair  of  their  heads.  I  know  your  thoughts,  and  shame  be 
it  to  our  color  that  you  have  reason  for  them;  but  he  who  thinks 
that  even  a  Mingo  would  ill-treat  a  woman,  unless  it  be  to  toma 
hawk  her,  knows  nothing  of  Indian  natur',  or  the  laws  of  the 
woods.  No,  no;  I  have  heard  that  the  French  Indians  had  come 
into  these  hills,  to  hunt  the  moose,  and  we  are  getting  within 
scent  of  their  camp.  Why  should  they  not?  the  morning  and 
evening  guns  of  Ty  may  be  heard  any  day  among  these  moun 
tains;  for  the  Frenchers  are  running  a  new  line  atween  the 
provinces  of  the  king  and  the  Canadas.  It  is  true  that  the  horses 
are  here,  but  the  Hurons  are  gone;  let  us  then  hunt  for  the  path 
by  which  they  departed." 

Hawkeye  and  the  Mohicans  now  applied  themselves  to  their 
task  in  good  earnest.  A  circle  of  a  few  hundred  feet  in  circum 
ference  was  drawn,  and  each  of  the  party  took  a  segment  for  his 
portion.  The  examination,  however,  resulted  in  no  discovery. 
The  impressions  of  footsteps  were  numerous,  but  they  all 
appeared  like  those  of  men  who  had  wandered  about  the  spot, 
without  any  design  to  quit  it.  Again  the  scout  and  his  com 
panions  made  the  circuit  of  the  halting-place,  each  slowly  follow- 


224  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

ing  the  other,  until  they  assembled  in  the  centre  once  more,  no 
wiser  than  when  they  started. 

"Such  cunning  is  not  without  its  deviltry,"  exclaimed  Hawk- 
eye,  when  he  met  the  disappointed  looks  of  his  assistants. 

We  must  get  down  to  it,  Sagamore,  beginning  at  the  spring, 
and  going  over  the  ground  by  inches.  The  Huron  shall  never 
brag  in  his  tribe  that  he  has  a  foot  which  leaves  no  print." 

Setting  the  example  himself,  the  scout  engaged  in  the  scrutiny 
with  renewed  zeal.  Not  a  leaf  was  left  unturned.  The  sticks 
were  removed,  and  the  stones  lifted;  for  Indian  cunning  was 
known  frequently  to  adopt  these  objects  as  covers,  laboring  with 
the  utmost  patience  and  industry,  to  conceal  each  footstep  as  they 
proceeded.  Still  no  discovery  was  made.  At  length  Uncas, 
whose  activity  had  enabled  him  to  achieve  his  portion  of  the  task 
the  soonest,  raked  the  earth  across  the  turbid  little  rill  which  ran 
from  the  spring,  and  diverted  its  course  into  another  channel. 
So  soon  as  its  narrow  bed  below  the  dam  was  dry,  he  stooped 
over  it  with  keen  and  curious  eyes.  A. cry  of  exultation  immedi 
ately  announced  the  success  of  the  young  warrior.  The  whole 
party  crowded  to  the  spot  where  Uncas  pointed  out  the  impres 
sion  of  a  moccasin  in  the  moist  alluvion. 

"The  lad  will  be  an  honor  to  his  people,"  said  Hawkeye, 
regarding  the  trail  with  as  much  admiration  as  a  naturalist  would 
expend  on  the  tusk  of  a  mammoth  or  the  rib  of  a  mastodon;  "ay, 
and  a  thorn  in  the  sides  of  the  Hurons.  Yet  that  is  not  the  foot 
step  of  an  Indian!  the  weight  is  too  much  on  the  heel,  and  the 
toes  are  squared,  as  though  one  of  the  French  dancers  had  been 
in,  pigeon-winging  his  tribe!  Run  back,  Uncas,  and  bring  me 
the  size  of  the  singer's  foot.  You  will  find  a  beautiful  print  of 
it  just  opposite  yon  rock,  agin  the  hillside." 

While  the  youth  was  engaged  in  this  commission,  the  scout 
and  Chingachgook  were  attentively  considering  the  impressions. 
The  measurements  agreed,  and  the  former  unhesitatingly  pro 
nounced  that  the  footstep  was  that  of  David,  who  had  once  more, 
been  made  to  exchange  his  shoes  for  moccasins. 

"I  can  now  read  the  whole  of  it,  as  plainly  as  if  I  had  seen 
the  arts  of  Le  Subtil,"  he  added;  "the  singer,  being  a  man  whose 
gifts  lay  chiefly  in  his  throat  and  feet,  was  made  to  go  first,  and 
the  others  have  trod  in  his  steps,  imitating  their  formation." 

"But,"  cried  Duncan,  "I  see  no  signs  of — " 

"The  gentle  ones,"  interrupted  the  scout;  the  varlet  has  found 


THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  223 

a  way  to  carry  them,  until  he  supposed  he  had  thrown  any  fol 
lowers  off  the  scent.  My  life  on  it,  we  see  their  pretty  little  feet 
again,  before  many  rods  go  by." 

The  whole  party  now  proceeded,  following  the  course  of  the 
rill,  keeping  anxious  eyes  on  the  regular  impressions.  The  water 
soon  flowed  into  its  bed  again,  but  watching  the  ground  on  either 
side,  the  foresters  pursued  their  way  content  with  knowing  that 
the  trail  lay  beneath.  More  than  half  a  mile  was  passed,  before 
the  rill  rippled  close  around  the  base  of  an  extensive  and  dry 
rock.  Here  they  paused  to  make  sure  that  the  Hurons  had  not 
quitted  the  water. 

It  was  fortunate  they  did  so.  For  the  quick  and  active  Uncas 
soon  found  the  impression  of  a  foot  on  a  bunch  of  moss,  where 
it  would  seem  an  Indian  had  inadvertently  trodden.  Pursuing 
the  direction  given  by  this  discovery,  he  entered  the  neighboring 
thicket,  and  struck  the  trail,  as  fresh  and  obvious  as  it  had  been 
before  they  reached  the  spring.  Another  shout  announced  the 
good  fortune  of  the  youth  to  his  companions,  and  at  once  ter 
minated  the  search. 

"Ay,  it  has  been  planned  with  Indian  judgment,"  said  the 
scout,  when  the  party  was  assembled  around  the  place;  "and 
would  have  blinded  white  eyes." 

"Shall  we  proceed?"  demanded  Heyward. 

"Softly,  softly:  we  know  our  path;  but  it  is  good  to  examine 
the  formation  of  things.  This  is  my  schooling,  major;  and  if  one 
neglects  the  book,  there  is  little  chance  of  learning  from  the  open 
hand  of  Providence.  All  is  plain  but  one  thing,  which  is  the  man 
ner  that  the  knave  contrived  to  get  the  gentle  ones  along  the 
blind  trail.  Even  a  Huron  would  be  too  proud  to  let  their  tender 
feet  touch  the  water." 

"Will  this  assist  in  explaining  the  difficulty?"  said  Heyward, 
pointing  towards  the  fragments  of  a  sort  of  handbarrow,  that 
had  been  rudely  constructed  of  boughs,  and  bound  together 
with  withes,  and  which  now  seemed  carelessly  cast  aside  as 
useless. 

"'Tis  explained!"  cried  the  delighted^Hawkeye.  "If  them 
varlets  have  passed  a  minute,  they  have  spent  hours  in  striving  to 
fabricate  a  lying  end  to  their  trail!  Well,  I've  known  them  to 
waste  a  day  in  the  same  manner,  to  as  little  purpose.  Here  we 
have  three  pair  of  moccasins,  and  two  of  little  feet.  It  is  amazing 
that  any  mortal  beings  can  journey  on  limbs  so  small!  Pass  me 


226  TPIE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

the  thong  of  buckskin,  Uncas,  and  let  me  take  the  length  of  this 
foot.  By  the  Lord,  it  is  no  longer  than  a  child's  and  yet  the 
maidens  are  tall  and  comely.  That  Providence  is  partial  in  its 
gifts,  for  its  own  wise  reasons,  the  best  and  most  contented  of 
us  must  allow." 

"The  tender  limbs  of  my  daughters  are  unequal  to  these  hard 
ships,"  said  Munro,  looking  at  the  light  footsteps  of  his  children, 
with  a  parent's  love:  "we  shall  find  their  fainting  forms  in  this 
desert." 

"Of  that  there  is  little  cause  of  fear,"  returned  the  scout, 
slowly  shaking  his  head;  "this  is  a  firm  and  straight,  though  a 
light  step,  and  not  over  long.  See,  the  heel  has  hardly  touched 
the  ground;  and  there  the  dark-hair  has  made  a  little  jump,  from 
root  to  root.  No,  no;  my  knowledge  for  it,  neither  of  them  was 
nigh  fainting,  hereaway.  Now,  the  singer  was  beginning  to  be 
foot-sore  and  leg-weary  as  is  plain  by  his  trail.  There,  you  see, 
he  slipped;  here  he  has  travelled  wide,  and  tottered;  and  there, 
again,  it  looks  as  though  he  journeyed  on  snow-shoes.  Ay,  ay, 
a  man  who  uses  his  throat  altogether,  can  hardly  give  his  legs  a 
proper  training." 

From  such  undeniable  testimony  did  the  practised  woodsman 
arrive  at  the  truth,  with  nearly  as  much  certainty  and  precision 
as  if  he  had  been  a  witness  of  all  those  events  which  his  ingenuity 
so  easily  elucidated.  Cheered  by  these  assurances,  and  satisfied 
by  a  reasoning  that  was  so  obvious,  while  it  was  so  simple,  the 
party  resumed  its  course,  after  making  a  short  halt  to  take  a 
hurried  repast. 

When  the  meal  was  ended,  the  scout  cast  a  glance  upwards  at 
the  setting  sun,  and  pushed  forward  with  a  rapidity  which  com 
pelled  Heyward  and  the  still  vigorous  Munro  to  exert  all  their 
muscles  to  equal.  Their  route  now  lay  along  the  bottom  which 
had  already  been  mentioned.  As  the  Hurons  had  made  no 
further  efforts  to  conceal  their  footsteps,  the  progress  of  the  pur 
suers  was  no  longer  delayed  by  uncertainty.  Before  an  hour  had 
elapsed,  however,  the  speed  of  Hawkeye  sensibly  abated,  and  his 
head,  instead  of  maintaining  its  former  direct  and  forward  look, 
began  to  turn  suspiciously  from  side  to  side,  as  if  he  were  con 
scious  of  approaching  danger.  He  soon  stopped  again,  and 
waited  for  the  whole  party  to  come  up. 

"I  scent  the  Hurons,"  he  said,  speaking  to  the  Mohicans; 
"yonder  is  open  sky,  through  the  tree-tops,  and  we  are  getting 


THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS  227 

too  nigh  their  encampment.  Sagamore,  you  will  take  the  hillside, 
to  the  right ;  Uncas  will  bend  along  the  brook  to  the  left,  while  I 
will  try  the  trail.  If  anything  should  happen,  the  call  will  be 
three  croaks  of  a  crow.  I  saw  one  of  the  birds  fanning  himself  in 
the  air,  just  beyond  the  dead  oak — another  sign  that  we  are  touch 
ing  an  encampment." 

The  Indians  departed  their  several  ways  without  reply,  while 
Hawkey e  cautiously  proceeded  with  the  two  gentlemen.  Hey- 
ward  soon  pressed  to  the  side  of  their  guide,  eager  to  catch  an 
early  glimpse  of  those  enemies  he  had  pursued  with  so  much  toil 
and  anxiety.  His  companion  told  him  to  steal  to  the  edge  of  the 
wood,  which,  as  usual,  was  fringed  with  a  thicket,  and  wait  his 
.  coming,  for  he  wished  to  examine  certain  suspicious  signs  a  little 
on  one  side.  Duncan  obeyed,  and  soon  found  himself  in  a  situa 
tion  to  command  a  view  which  he  found  as  extraordinary  as  it 
was  novel. 

The  trees  of  many  acres  had  been  felled,  and  the  glow  of  a 
mild  summer's  evening  had  fallen  on  the  clearing,  in  beautiful 
contrast  to  the  gray  light  of  the  forest.  A  short  distance  from 
the  place  where  Duncan  stood,  the  stream  had  seemingly  ex 
panded  into  a  little  lake,  covering  most  of  the  low  land,  from 
mountain  to  mountain.  The  water  fell  out  of  this  wide  basin,  in 
a  cataract  so  regular  and  gentle,  that  it  appeared  rather  to  be 
the  work  of  human  hands,  than  fashioned  by  nature.  A  hundred 
earthen  dwellings  stood  on  the  margin  of  the  lake,  and  even  in 
its  water,  as  though  the  latter  had  overflowed  its  usual  banks. 
Their  rounded  roofs,  admirably  moulded  for  defence  against  the 
weather,  denoted  more  of  industry  and  foresight  than  the  natives 
were  wont  to  bestow  on  their  regular  habitations,  much  less  on 
those  they  occupied  for  the  temporary  purposes  of  hunting  and 
war.  In  short,  the  whole  village  or  town,  whichever  it  might  be 
termed,  possessed  more  of  method  and  neatness  of  execution, 
than  the  white  men  had  been  accustomed  to  believe  belonged, 
ordinarily,  to  the  Indian  habits.  It  appeared,  however,  to  be 
deserted.  At  least,  so  thought  Duncan  for  many  minutes;  but, 
at  length,  he  fancied  he  discovered  several  human  forms  advanc 
ing  towards  him  on  all  fours,  and  apparently  dragging  in  their 
train  some  heavy,  and  as  he  was  quick  to  apprehend,  some  for 
midable  engine.  Just  then  a  few  dark  looking  heads  gleamed 
out  of  the  dwellings,  and  the  place  seemed  suddenly  alive  with 
beings,  which,  however,  glided  from  cover  to  cover  so  swiftly,  as 


228  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

to  allow  no  opportunity  of  examining  their  humors  or  pursuits. 
Alarmed  at  these  suspicious  and  inexplicable  movements,  he  was 
about  to  attempt  the  signal  of  the  crows,  when  the  rustling  of 
leaves  at  hand  drew  his  eyes  in  another  direction. 

The  young  man  started,  and  recoiled  a  few  paces  instinctively, 
when  he  found  himself  within  a  hundred  yards  of  a  stranger  In 
dian.  Recovering  his  recollection  on  the  instant,  instead  of 
sounding  an  alarm,  which  might  prove  fatal  to  himself,  he  re 
mained  stationary,  an  attentive  observer  of  the  other's  motions. 

An  instant  of  calm  observation  served  to  assure  Duncan  that 
he  was  undiscovered.  The  native,  like  himself,  seemed  occupied 
in  considering  the  low  dwellings  of  the  village,  and  the  stolen 
movements  of  its  inhabitants.  It  was  impossible  to  discover  the 
expression  of  his  features,  through  the  grotesque  mask  of  paint 
under  which  they  were  concealed ;  though  Duncan  fancied  it  was 
rather  melancholy  than  savage.  His  head  was  shaved,  as  usual, 
with  the  exception  of  the  crown,  from  whose  tuft  three  or  four 
faded  feathers  from  a  hawk's  wing  were  loosely  dangling.  A 
ragged  calico  mantle  half -encircled  his  body,  while  his  nether 
garment  was  composed  of  an  ordinary  shirt,  the  sleeves  of  which 
were  made  to  perform  the  office  that  is  usually  executed  by  a 
much  more  commodious  arrangement.  His  legs  were  bare,  and 
sadly  cut  and  torn  by  briers.  The  feet  were,  however,  covered 
with  a  pair  of  good  deerskin  moccasins.  Altogether,  the  appear 
ance  of  the  individual  was  forlorn  and  miserable. 

Duncan  was  still  curiously  observing  the  person  of  his  neigh 
bor,  when  the  scout  stole  silently  and  cautiously  to  his  side. 

"You  see  we  have  reached  their  settlement  or  encampment," 
whispered  the  young  man;  "and  here  is  one  of  the  savages 
himself,  in  a  very  embarrassing  position  for  our  further  move 
ments." 

Hawkeye  started,  and  dropped  his  rifle,  directed  by  the  finger 
of  his  companion,  the  stranger  came  under  his  view.  Then  low 
ering  the  dangerous  muzzle,  he  stretched  forward  his  long  neck, 
as  if  to  assist  a  scrutiny  that  was  already  intensely  keen. 

"The  imp  is  not  a  Huron,"  he  said,  "nor  of  any  of  the  Canada 
tribes ;  and  yet  you  see,  by  his  clothes,  the  knave  has  been  plunder 
ing  a  white.  Ay,  Montcalm  has  raked  the  woods  for  his  inroad, 
and  a  whooping,  murdering  set  of  varlets  has  he  gathered 
together.  Can  you  see  where  he  has  put  his  rifle  or  his  bow?" 

"He  appears  to  have  no  arms ;  nor  does  he  seem  to  be  viciously 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  229 

inclined.  Unless  he  communicate  the  alarm  to  his  fellows,  who  as 
you  see  are  dodging  about  the  water,  we  have  but  little  to  fear 
from  him." 

The  scout  turned  to  Heyward,  and  regarded  him  a  moment 
with  unconcealed  amazement.  Then  opening  wide  his  mouth, 
he  indulged  in  unrestrained  and  heartfelt  laughter,  though  in  that 
silent  and  peculiar  manner  which  danger  had  so  long  taught  him 
to  practise. 

Repeating  the  words,  "fellows  who  are  dodging  about  the 
water!"  he  added,  "so  much  for  schooling  and  passing  a  boyhood 
in  the  settlements!  The  knave  has  long  legs,  though,  and  shall 
not  be  trusted.  Do  you  keep  him  under  your  rifle  while  I  creep 
in  behind,  through  the  bush,  and  take  him  alive.  Fire  on  no 
account." 

Heyward  had  already  permitted  his  companion  to  bury  part 
of  his  person  in  the  thicket,  when,  stretching  forth  an  arm,  he 
arrested  him,  in  order  to  ask, — 

"If  I  see  you  in  danger,  may  I  not  risk  a  shot?" 

Hawkeye  regarded  him  a  moment,  like  one  who  knew  not 
how  to  take  the  question ;  then  nodding  his  head,  he  answered,  still 
laughing,  though  inaudibly,— 

"Fire  a  whole  platoon,  major." 

In  the  next  moment  he  was  concealed  by  the  leaves.  Duncan 
waited  several  minutes  in  feverish  impatience,  before  he  caught 
another  glimpse  of  the  scout.  Then  he  reappeared,  creeping 
along  the  earth,  from  which  his  dress  was  hardly  distinguishable, 
directly  in  the  rear  of  his  intended  captive.  Having  reached 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  latter,  he  arose  to  his  feet,  silently  and 
slowly.  At  that  instant,  several  loud  blows  were  struck  on  the 
water,  and  Duncan  turned  his  eyes  just  in  time  to  perceive  that  a 
hundred  dark  forms  were  plunging,  in  a  body,  into  the  troubled 
little  sheet.  Grasping  his  rifle,  his  looks  were  again  bent  on  the 
Indian  near  him.  Instead  of  taking  the  alarm,  the  unconscious 
savage  stretched  forward  his  neck,  as  if  he  also  watched  the  move 
ments  about  the  gloomy  lake,  with  a  sort  of  silly  curiosity.  In 
the  meantime,  the  uplifted  hand  of  Hawkeye  was  above  him. 
But,  without  any  apparent  reason,  it  was  withdrawn,  and  its 
owner  indulged  in  another  long,  though  still  silent,  fit  of  merri 
ment.  AVhen  the  peculiar  and  hearty  laughter  of  Hawkeye  was 
ended,  instead  of  grasping  his  victim  by  the  throat,  he  tapped  him 
lightly  on  the  shoulder,  and  exclaimed  aloud,— 


230  THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS 


sing? 


"How  now,  friend!  have  you  a  mind  to  teach  the  beavers  to 


"Even  so,"  was  the  ready  answer.  "It  would  seem  that  the 
Being  that  gave  them  power  to  improve  his  gifts  so  well,  would 
not  deny  them  voices  to  proclaim  his  praise." 


CHAPTER   XXII 

"Dot. — Are  we  all  met? 
Qui. — Pat — pat;  and  here's  a  marvellous 
Convenient  place  for  our  rehearsal." 

Midsummer  Night's  Dream. 

THE  reader  may  better  imagine,  than  we  describe,  the  surprise 
of  Heyward.  His  lurking  Indians  were  suddenly  converted  into 
four-footed  beasts;  his  lake  into  a  beaver  pond;  his  cataract  into 
a  dam,  constructed  by  those  industrious  and  ingenious  quadru 
peds;  and  a  suspected  enemy  into  his  tried  friend,  David  Gamut, 
the  master  of  psalmody.  The  presence  of  the  latter  created  so 
many  unexpected  hopes  relative  to  the  sisters  that,  without  a 
moment's  hesitation,  the  young  man  broke  out  of  his  ambush,  and 
sprang  forward  to  join  the  two  principal  actors  in  the  scene. 

The  merriment  of  Hawkey e  was  not  easily  appeased.  With 
out  ceremony,  and  with  a  rough  hand,  he  twirled  the  supple 
Gamut  around  on  his  heel,  and  more  than  once  affirmed  that  the 
Hurons  had  done  themselves  great  credit  in  the  fashion  of  his 
costume.  Then  seizing  the  hand  of  the  other,  he  squeezed  it  with 
a  gripe  that  brought  the  tears  into  the  eyes  of  the  placid  David, 
and  wished  him  joy  of  his- new  condition. 

"You  were  about  opening  your  throat-pract?/sings  among  the 
beavers,  were  ye?"  he  said.  "The  cunning  devils  know  half  the 
trade  already,  for  they  beat  the  time  with  their  tails,  as  you  heard 
just  now;  and  in  good  time  it  was  too,  or  'Killdeer'  might  have 
sounded  the  first  note  among  them.  I  have  known  greater  fools, 
who  could  read  and  write,  than  an  experienced  old  beaver;  but 
as  for  squalling,  the  animals  are  born  dumb !  What  think  you  of 
such  a  song  as  this?" 

David  shut  his  sensitive  ears,  and  even  Heyward,  apprised  as 
he  was  of  the  nature  of  the  cry,  looked  upwards  in  quest  of  the 
bird,  as  the  cawing  of  a  crow  rang  in  the  air  about  them. 

"See!"  continued  the  laughing  scout,  as  he  pointed  towards 
the  remainder  of  the  party,  who,  in  obedience  to  the  signal,  were 

231 


232  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

already  approaching:  "this  is  music  which  has  its  natural  virtues; 
it  brings  two  good  rifles  to  my  elbow,  to  say  nothing  of  the  knives 
and  tomahawks.  But  we  see  that  you  are  safe;  now  tell  us  what 
has  become  of  the  maidens." 

"They  are  captives  to  the  heathen,"  said  David;  "and  though 
greatly  troubled  in  spirit,  enjoying  comfort  and  safety  in  the 
body." 

"Both?"  demanded  the  breathless  Hey  ward. 

"Even  so.  Though  our  wayfaring  has  been  sore  and  our  sus 
tenance  scanty,  we  have  had  little  other  cause  for  complaint,  ex 
cept  the  violence  done  our  feelings,  by  being  thus  led  in  captivity 
into  a  far  land." 

"Bless  ye  for  these  very  words!"  exclaimed  the  trembling 
Munro;  "I  shall  then  receive  my  babes  spotless  and  angel-like, 
as  I  lost  them!" 

"I  know  not  that  their  delivery  is  at  hand,"  returned  the 
doubting  David;  "the  leader  of  these  savages  is  possessed  of  an 
evil  spirit  that  no  power  short  of  Omnipotence  can  tame.  I  have 
tried- him  sleeping  and  waking,  but  neither  sounds  nor  language 
seem  to  touch  his  soul." 

"Where  is  the  knave?"  bluntly  interrupted  the  scout. 

"He  hunts  the  moose  to-day,  with  his  young  men;  and  to 
morrow,  as  I  hear,  they  pass  farther  into  these  forests,  and  nigher 
to  the  borders  of  Canada.  The  elder  maiden  is  conveyed  to  a 
neighboring  people,  whose  lodges  are  situate  beyond  yonder  black 
pinnacle  of  rock ;  while  the  younger  is  detained  among  the  women 
of  the  Hurons,  whose  -dwellings  are  but  two  short  miles  hence, 
on  a  table-land,  where  the  fire  has  done  the  office  of  the  axe,  and 
prepared  the  place  for  their  reception." 

"Alice,  my  gentle  Alice!"  murmured  Heyward;  "she  has  lost 
the  consolation  of  her  sister's  presence!" 

"Even  so.  But  so  far  as  praise  and  thanksgiving  in  psalmody 
can  temper  the  spirit  in  affliction,  she  has  not  suffered." 

"Has  she  then  a  heart  for  music?" 

"Of  the  graver  and  more  solemn  character;  though  it  must 
be  acknowledged  that,  in  spite  of  all  my  endeavors,  the  maiden 
weeps  oftener  than  she  smiles.  At  such  moments  I  forbear  to 
press  the  holy  songs;  but  there  are  many  sweet  and  comfortable 
periods  of  satisfactory  communication,  when  the  ears  of  the  sav 
ages  are  astounded  with  the  upliftings  of  our  voices." 

"And  why  are  you  permitted  to  go  at  large,  unwatched?" 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  233 

David  composed  his  features  into  what  he  intended  should 
express  an  air  of  modest  humility,  before  he  meekly  replied — 

"Little  be  the  praise  to  such  a  worm  as  I.  But,  though  the 
power  of  psalmody  was  suspended  in  the  terrible  business  of  that 
field  of  blood  through  which  we  passed,  it  has  recovered  its  influ 
ence  even  over  the  souls,  of  the  heathen,  and  I  am  suffered  to  go 
and  come  at  will." 

The  scout  laughed,  and  tapping  his  own  forehead  signifi 
cantly,  he  perhaps  explained  the  singular  indulgence  more  satis 
factorily  when  he  said — - 

"The  Indians  never  harm  a  non-composser.  But  why,  when 
the  path  lay  open  before  your  eyes,  did  you  not  strike  back  on 
your  own  trail  (it  is  not  so  blind  as  that  which  a  squirrel  would 
make),  and  bring  in  the  tidings  to  Edward?" 

The  scout,  remembering  only  his  own  sturdy  and  iron  nature, 
had  probably  exacted  a  task  that  David,  under  no  circumstances, 
could  have  performed.  But,  without  entirely  losing  the  meekness 
of  his  air,  the  latter  was  content  to  answer — 

"Though  my  soul  would  rejoice  to  visit  the  habitations  of 
Christendom  once  more,  my  feet  would  rather  follow  the  tender 
spirits  intrusted  to  my  keeping,  even  into  the  idolatrous  province 
of  the  Jesuits,  than  take  one  step  backward,  while  they  pined  in 
captivity  and  sorrow." 

Though  the  figurative  language  of  David  was  not  very  intel 
ligible,  the  sincere  and  steady  expression  of  his  eye,  and  the  glow 
on  his  honest  countenance,  were  not  easily  mistaken.  Uncas 
pressed  closer  to  his  side,  and  regarded  the  speaker  with  a  look 
of  commendation,  while  his  father  expressed  his  satisfaction  by 
the  ordinary  pithy  exclamation  of  approbation.  The  scout  shook 
his  head  as  he  rejoined— 

"The  Lord  never  intended  that  the  man  should  place  all  his 
endeavors  in  his  throat,  to  the  neglect  of  other  and  better  gifts ! 
But  he  has  fallen  into  the  hands  of  some  silly  woman,  when  he 
should  have  been  gathering  his  education  under  a  blue  sky,  among 
the  beauties  of  the  forest.  Here,  friend;  I  did  intend  to  kindle 
a  fire  with  this  tooting  whistle  of  thine;  but  as  you  value  the  thing, 
take  it,  and  blow  your  best  on  it!" 

Gamut  received  his  pitch-pipe  with  as  strong  an  expression 
of  pleasure  as  he  believed  compatible  with  the  grave  functions  he 
exercised.  After  essaying  its  virtues  repeatedly,  in  contrast  with 
his  own  voice,  and  satisfying  himself  that  none  of  its  melody  was 


234  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

lost,  he  made  a  very  serious  demonstration  towards  achieving  a 
few  stanzas  of  one  of  the  longest  effusions  in  the  little  volume  so 
often  mentioned. 

Heyward,  however,  hastily  interrupted  his  pious  purpose,  by 
continuing  questions  concerning  the  past  and  piesent  condition 
of  his  fellow-captives,  and  in  a  manner  more  methodical  than  had 
been  permitted  by  his  feelings  in  the  opening  of  their  interview. 
David,  though  he  regarded  his  treasure  with  longing  eyes,  was 
constrained  to  answer:  especially  as  the  venerable  father  took  a 
part  in  the  interrogatories,  with  an  interest  too  imposing  to  be 
denied.  Nor  did  the  scout  fail  to  throw  in  a  pertinent  inquiry, 
whenever  a  fitting  occasion  presented.  In  this  manner,  though 
with  frequent  interruptions,  which  were  filled  with  certain  threat 
ening  sounds  from  the  recovered  instrument,  the  pursuers  were 
put  in  possession  of  such  leading  circumstances  as  were  likely  to 
prove  useful  in  accomplishing  their  great  and  engrossing,  object 
—the  recovery  of  the  sisters.  The  narrative  of  David  was  simple, 
and  the  facts  but  few. 

Magua  had  waited  on  the  mountain  until  a  safe  moment  to 
retire  presented  itself,  when  he  had  descended,  and  taken  the 
route  along  the  western  side  of  the  Horican,  in  the  direction  of 
the  Canadas.  As  the  subtle  Huron  was  familiar  with  the  paths, 
and  well  knew  there  was  no  immediate  danger  of  pursuit,  their 
progress  had  been  moderate,  and  far  from  fatiguing.  It  ap 
peared  from  the  unembellished  statement  of  David,  that  his  own 
presence  had  been  rather  endured  than  desired;  though  even 
Magua  had  not  been  entirely  exempt  from  that  veneration  with 
which  the  Indians  regard  those  whom  the  Great  Spirit  has  visited 
in  their  intellects.  At  night,  the  utmost  care  had  been  taken  of 
the  captives,  both  to  prevent  injury  from  the  damps  of  the  woods, 
and  to  guard  against  an  escape.  At  the  spring,  the  horses  were 
turned  loose,  as  has  been  seen;  and  notwithstanding  the  remote 
ness  and  length  of  their  trail,  the  artifices  already  named  were 
resorted  to,  in  order  to  cut  off  every  clue  to  their  place  of  retreat. 
On  their  arrival  at  the  encampment  of  his  people,  Magua,  in 
obedience  to  a  policy  seldom  departed  from,  separated  his  pris 
oners.  Cora  had  been  sent  to  a  tribe  that  temporarily  occupied 
an  adjacent  valley,  though  David  was  too  ignorant  of  the  customs 
and  history  of  the  natives  to  be  able  to  declare  anything  satis 
factory  concerning  their  name  or  character.  He  only  knew  that 
they  had  not  engaged  in  the  late  expedition  against  William 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  235 

Henry;  that,  like  the  Hurons  themselves,  they  were  allies  of 
Montcalm;  and  that  they  maintained  an  amicable,  though  "a 
watchful  intercourse  with  the  warlike  and  savage  people,  whom 
chance  had,  for  a  time,  brought  in  such  close  and  disagreeable 
contact  with  themselves. 

The  Mohicans  and  the  scout  listened  to  his  interrupted  and 
imperfect  narrative,  with  an  interest  that  obviously  increased  as 
lie  proceeded ;  and  it  was  while  attempting  to  explain  the  pursuits 
of  the  community  in  which  Cora  was  detained,  that  the  latter 
abruptly  demanded— 

"Did  you  see  the  fashion  of  their  knives?  Were  they  of  Eng 
lish  or  French  formation?" 

"My  thoughts  were  bent  on  no  such  vanities,  but  rather 
mingled  in  consolation  with  those  of  the  maidens." 

"The  time  may  come  when  you  will  not  consider  the  knife  of 
a  savage  such  a  despisable  vanity,"  returned  the  scout,  with  a 
strong  expression  of  contempt  for  the  other's  dulness.  "Had 
they  held  their  corn-feast — or  can  you  say  anything  of  the  totems 
of  the  tribe?" 

"Of  corn,  we  had  many  and  plentiful  feasts;  for  the  grain, 
being  in  the  milk,  is  both  sweet  to  the  mouth  and  comfortable  to 
the  stomach.  Of  totem,  I  know  not  the  meaning;  but  if  it  apper- 
taineth  in  any  wise  to  the  art  of  Indian  music,  it  need  not  be  in 
quired  after  at  their  hands.  They  never  join  their  voices  in 
praise,  and  it  would  seem  that  they  are  among  the  profanest  of 
the  idolatrous." 

"Therein  you  belie  the  nature  of  an  Indian.  Even  the  Mingo 
adores  but  the  true  and  living  God.  'Tis  a  wicked  fabrication  of 
the  whites,  and  I  say  it  to  the  shame  of  my  color,  that  would  make 
the  warrior  bow  down  before  images  of  his  own  creation.  It  is 
true,  they  endeavor  to  make  truces  with  the  wicked  one — as  who 
would,  not  with  an  enemy  he  cannot  conquer ! — but  they  look  up 
for  favor  and  assistance  to  the  Great  and  Good  Spirit  only." 

"It  may  be  so,"  said  David;  "but  I  have  seen  strange  and  fan 
tastic  images  drawn  in  their  paint,  of  which  their  admiration  and 
care  savored  of  spiritual  pride;  especially  one,  and  that,  too,  a 
foul  and  loathsome  object." 

"Was  it  a  sarpent?"  quickly  demanded  the  scout. 

"Much  the  same.  It  was  in  the  likeness  of  an  abject  and 
creeping  tortoise." 

"Hugh!"  exclaimed  both  the  attentive  Mohicans  in  a  breath; 


236  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

while  the  scout  shook  his  head  with  an  air  of  one  who  had  made 
an  important,  but  by  no  means  a  pleasing  discovery.  Then  the 
father  spoke,  in  the  language  of  the  Delawares,  and  with  a  calm 
ness  and  dignity  that  instantly  arrested  the  attention  even  of 
those  to  whom  his  words  were  unintelligible.  His  gestures  were 
impressive,  and  at  times  energetic.  Once  he  lifted  his  arm  on 
high;  and  as  it  descended,  the  action  threw  aside  the  folds  of  his 
light  mantle,  a  finger  resting  on  his  breast,  as  if  he  would  enforce 
his  meaning  by  the  attitude.  Duncan's  eyes  followed  the  move 
ment,  and  he  perceived  that  the  animal  just  mentioned  was  beau-' 
tifully,  though  faintly,  worked  in  a  blue  tint,  on  the  swarthy 
breast  of  the  chief.  All  that  he  had  ever  heard  of  the  violent  sep 
aration  of  the  vast  tribes  of  the  Delawares  rushed  across  his  mind, 
and  he  awaited  the  proper  moment  to  speak,  with  a  suspense  that 
was  rendered  nearly  intolerable,  by  his  interest  in  the  stake.  His 
wish,  however,  was  anticipated  by  the  scout,  who  turned  from  his 
red  friend,  saying— 

"We  have  found  that  which  may  be  good  or  evil  to  us,  as 
Heaven  disposes.  The  Sagamore  is  of  the  high  blood  of  the 
Delawares,  and  is  the  great  chief  of  their  Tortoises!  That  some 
of  this  stock  are  among  the  people  of  whom  the  singer  tells  us,  is 
plain,  by  his  words;  and  had  he  but  spent  half  the  breath  in  pru 
dent  questions,  that  he  has  blown  away  in  making  a  trumpet  of 
his  throat,  we  might  have  known  how  many  warriors  they  num 
bered.  It  is,  altogether,  a  dangerous  path  we  move  in;  for  a 
friend  whose  face  is  turned  from  you  often  bears  a  bloodier  mind 
than  the  enemy  who  seeks  your  scalp." 

"Explain,"  said  Duncan. 

"'Tis  a  long  and  melancholy  tradition,  and  one  I  little  like  to 
think  of ;  for  it  is  not  to  be  denied,  that  the  evil  has  been  mainly 
done  by  men  with  white  skins.  But  it  has  ended  in  turning  the 
tomahawk  of  brother  against  brother,  and  brought  the  Mingo 
and  the  Delaware  to  travel  in  the  same  path." 

"You  then  suspect  it  is  a  portion  of  that  people  among  whom 
Cora  resides?" 

The  scout  nodded  his  head  in  assent,  though  he  seemed  anx 
ious  to  waive  the  further  discussion  of  a  subject  that  appeared 
painful.  The  impatient  Duncan  now  made  several  hasty  and 
desperate  propositions  to  attempt  the  release  of  the  sisters. 
Munro  seemed  to  shake  off  his  apathy,  and  listened  to  the  wild 
schemes  of  the  young  man  with  a  deference  that  his  gray  hairs 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  237 

and  reverend  years  should  have  denied.  But  the  scout,  after  suf 
fering  the  ardor  of  the  lover  to  expend  itself  a  little,  found  means 
to  convince  him  of  the  folly  of  precipitation,  in  a  matter  that 
would  require  their  coolest  judgment  and  utmost  fortitude. 

"It  would  be  well,"  he  added,  "to  let  this  man  go  in  again,  as 
usual,  and  for  him  to  tarry  in  the  lodges,  giving  notice  to  the 
gentle  ones  of  our  approach,  until  we  call  him  out,  by  signal,  to 
consult.  You  know  the  cry  of  a  crow,  friend,  from  the  whistle 
of  the  whippoorwill?" 

"Tis  a  pleasing  bird,"  returned  David,  "and  has  a  soft  and 
melancholy  note!  though  the  time  is  rather  quick  and  ill -meas 
ured." 

"He  speaks  of  the  wish-ton-wish,"  said  the  scout;  "well, 
since  you  like  his  whistle,  it  shall  be  your  signal.  Remember, 
then,  when  you  hear  the  whippoorwill's  call  three  times  repeated, 
you  are  to  come  into  the  bushes  where  the  bird  might  be  sup 
posed— 

"Stop,"  interrupted  Heyward;  "I  will  accompany  him." 

"You!"  exclaimed  the  astonished  Hawkeye;  "are  you  tired  of 
seeing  the  sun  rise  and  set?" 

"David  is  a  living  proof  that  the  Hurons  can  be  merciful." 

"Ay,  but  David  can  use  his  throat,  as  no  man  in  his  senses 
would  pervart  the  gift." 

"I,  too,  can  play  the  madman,  the  fool,  the  hero;  in  short,  any 
or  everything  to  rescue  her  I  love.  Name  your  objections  no 
longer;  I  am  resolved." 

Hawkeye  regarded  the  young  man  a  moment  in  speechless 
amazement.  But  Duncan,  who,  in  deference  to  the  other's  skill 
and  services,  had  hitherto  submitted  somewhat  implicitly  to  his 
dictation,  now  assumed  the  superior,  with  a  manner  that  was  not 
easily  resisted.  He  waved  his  hand,  in  sign  of  his  dislike  to  all 
remonstrance,  and  then,  in  more  tempered  language,  he  con 
tinued— 

"You  have  the  means  of  disguise;  change  me;  paint  me,  too, 
if  you  will;  in  short,  alter  me  to  anything — a  fool." 

"It  is  not  for  one  like  me  to  say  that  he  who  is  already  formed 
by  so  powerful  a  hand  as  Providence,  stands  in  need  of  a  change," 
muttered  the  discontented  scout.  "When  you  send  your  parties 
abroad  in  war,  you  find  it  prudent,  at  least,  to  arrange  the  marks 
and  places  of  encampment,  in  order  that  they  who  fight  on  your 
side  may  know  when  and  Avhere  to  expect  a  friend." 


238  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Listen,"  interrupted  Duncan;  "you  have  heard  from  this 
faithful  follower  of  the  captives,  that  the  Indians  are  of  two 
tribes,  if  not  of  different  nations.  With  one,  whom  you  think  to 
be  a  branch  of  the  Delawares,  is  she  you  call  the  'dark-hair' ;  the 
other,  and  younger  of  the  ladies,  is  undeniably  with  our  declared 
enemies,  the  Hurons.  It  becomes  my  youth  and  rank  to  attempt 
the  latter  adventure.  While  you,  therefore,  are  negotiating  with 
your  friends  for  the  release  of  one  of  the  sisters,  I  will  effect  that 
of  the  other,  or  die." 

The  awakened  spirit  of  the  young  soldier  gleamed  in  his  eyes, 
and  his  form  became  imposing  under  its  influence.  Hawkeye, 
though  too  much  accustomed  to  Indian  artifices  not  to  foresee  the 
danger  of  the  experiment,  knew  not  well  how  to  combat  this  sud 
den  resolution. 

Perhaps  there  was  something  in  the  proposal  that  suited  his 
own  hardy  nature,  and  that  secret  love  of  desperate  adventure, 
which  had  increased  with  his  experience,  until  hazard  and  danger 
had  become,  in  some  measure,  necessary  to  the  enjoyment  of  his 
existence.  Instead  of  continuing  to  oppose  the  scheme  of  Dim- 
can,  his  humor  suddenly  altered,  and  he  lent  himself  to  its 
execution. 

"Come,"  he  said,  with  a  good-humored  smile;  "the  buck  that 
will  take  to  the  water  must  be  headed,  and  not  followed.  Chin- 
gachgook  has  as  many  different  paints  as  the  engineer  officer's 
wife,  who  takes  down  natur'  on  scraps  of  paper,  making  the 
mountains  look  like  cocks  of  rusty  hay,  and  placing  the  blue  sky 
in  reach  of  your  hand.  The  Sagamore  can  use  them,  too.  Seat 
yourself  on  the  log ;  and  my  life  on  it,  he  can  soon  make  a  natural 
fool  of  you,  and  that  well  to  your  liking." 

Duncan  complied;  and  the  Mohican,  who  had  been  an  atten 
tive  listener  to  the  discourse,  readily  undertook  the  office,  Long 
practised  in  all  the  subtle  arts  of  his  race,  he  drew,  with  great 
dexterity  and  quickness,  the  fantastic  shadow  that  the  natives 
were  accustomed  to  consider  as  the  evidence  of  a  friendly  and 
jocular  disposition.  Every  line  that  could  possibly  be  interpreted 
into  a  secret  inclination  for  war,  was  carefully  avoided ;  while,  on 
the  other  hand,  he  studied  those  conceits  that  might  be  construed 
into  amity. 

In  short,  he  entirely  sacrificed  every  appearance-  of  the  war 
rior  to  the  masquerade  of  a  buffoon.  Such  exhibitions  were  not 
uncommon  among  the  Indians ;  and  as  Duncan  was  already  suffi> 


THE    LAST   OF    THE    MOHICANS  239 

ciently  disguised  in  his  dress,  there  certainly  did  exist  some  rea 
son  for  believing  that,  with  his  knowledge  of  French,  he  might 
pass  for  a  juggler  from  Ticonderoga,  straggling  among  the  allied 
and  friendly  tribes. 

When  he  was  thought  to  be  sufficiently  painted,  the  scout  gave 
him  much  friendly  advice;  concerted  signals,  and  appointed  the 
place  where  they  should  meet,  in  the  event  of  mutual  success. 
The  parting  between  Munro  and  his  young  friend  was  more  mel 
ancholy;  still,  the  former  submitted  to  the  separation  with  an 
indifference  that  his  warm  and  honest  nature  would  never  have 
permitted  in  a  more  healthful  state  of  mind.  The  scout  led  Hey- 
ward  aside,  and  acquainted  him  with  his  intention  to  leave  the 
veteran  in  some  safe  encampment,  in  charge  of  Chingachgook, 
while  he  and  Uncas  pursued  their  inquiries  among  the  people 
they  had  reason  to  believe  were  Delawares.  Then  renewing  his 
cautions  and  advice,  he  concluded  by  saying,  with  a  solemnity 
and  warmth  of  feeling,  with  which  Duncan  was  deeply  touched: 

"And  now  God  bless  you!  You  have  shown  a  spirit  that  I 
like ;  for  it  is  the  gift  of  youth,  more  especially  one  of  warm  blood 
and  a  stout  heart.  But  believe  the  warning  of  a  man  who  has 
reason  to  know  all  he  says  to  be  true.  You  will  have  occasion  for 
your  best  manhood,  and  for  a  sharper  wit  than  what  is  to  be  gath 
ered  in  books,  afore  you  outdo  the  cunning,  or  get  the  better  of 
the  courage  of  a  Mingo.  God  bless  you!  if  the  Hurons  master 
your  scalp,  rely  on  the  promise  of  one  who  has  two  stout  warriors 
to  back  him.  They  shall  pay  for  their  victory,  with  a  Jaf  e  for 
every  hair  it  holds.  I  say,  young  gentleman,  may  Providence 
bless  your  undertaking,  which  is  altogether  for  good ;  and  remem 
ber,  that  to  outwit  the  knaves  it  is  lawful  to  practise  things  that 
may  not  be  naturally  the  gift  of  a  white  skin." 

Duncan  shook  his  worthy  and  reluctant  associate  warmly  by 
the  hand,  once  more  recommended  his  aged  friend  to  his  care, 
and  returning  his  good  wishes,  he  motioned  to  David  to  proceed. 
Hawkeye  gazed  after  the  high-spirited  and  adventurous  young 
man  for  several  moments,  in  open  admiration;  then  shaking  his 
head  doubtingly,  he  turned,  and  led  his  own  division  of  the  party 
into  the  concealment  of  the  forest. 

The  route  taken  by  Duncan  and  David  lay  directly  across  the 
clearing  of  the  beavers,  and  along  the  margin  of  their  pond. 

When  the  former  found  himself  alone  with  one  so  simple,  and 
so  little  qualified  to  render  any  assistance  in  desperate  emergen- 


240  THE   LAST   OF,   THE   MOHICANS 

cies,  he  first  began  to  be  sensible  of  the  difficulties  of  the  task  he 
had  undertaken.  The  fading  light  increased  the  gloominess  of 
the  bleak  and  savage  wilderness  that  stretched  so  far  on  every 
side  of  him ;  and  there  was  even  a  fearful  character  in  the  stillness 
of  those  little  huts,  that  he  knew  were  so  abundantly  peopled.  It 
struck  him,  as  he  gazed  at  the  admirable  structures  and  the  won 
derful  precautions  of  their  sagacious  inmates,  that  even  the  brutes 
of  these  vast  wilds  were  possessed  of  an  instinct  nearly  commen 
surate  with  his  own  reason;  and  he  could  not  reflect,  without 
anxiety,  on  the  unequal  contest  that  he  had  so  rashly  courted. 
Then  came  the  glowing  image  of  Alice;  her  distress;  her  actual 
danger;  and  all  the  peril  of  his  situation  was  forgotten.  Cheer 
ing  David,  he  moved  on  with  the  light  and  vigorous  step  of  youth 
and  enterprise. 

After  making  nearly  a  semicircle  around  the  pond,  they 
diverged  from  the  water-course,  and  began  to  ascend  to  the  level 
of  a  slight  elevation  in  that  bottom  land,  over  which  they  jour 
neyed.  Within  half  an  hour  they  gained  the  margin  of  another 
opening  that  bore  all  the  signs  of  having  been  also  made  by  the 
beavers,  and  which  those  sagacious  animals  had  probably  been 
induced,  by  some  accident,  to  abandon,  for  the  more  eligible  posi 
tion  they  now  occupied.  A  very  natural  sensation  caused  Duncan 
to  hesitate  a  moment,  unwilling  to  leave  the  cover  of  their  bushy 
path,  as  a  man  pauses  to  collect  his  energies  before  he  essays  any 
hazardous  experiment,  in  which  he  is  secretly  conscious  they  will 
all  be  needed.  He  profited  by  the  halt,  to  gather  such  informa 
tion  as  might  be  obtained  from  his  short  and  hasty  glances. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  clearing,  and  near  the  point  where 
the  brook  tumbled  over  some  rocks,  from  a  still  higher  level,  some 
fifty  or  sixty  lodges,  rudely  fabricated  of  logs,  brush,  and  earth 
intermingled,  were  to  be  discovered.  They  were  arranged  with 
out  any  order,  and  seemed  to  be  constructed  with  very  little  atten 
tion  to  neatness  or  beauty.  Indeed,  so  very  inferior  were  they  in 
the  two  latter  particulars  to  the  village  Duncan  had  just  seen, 
that  he  began  to  expect  a  second  surprise,  no  less  astonishing  than 
the  former.  This  expectation  was  in  no  degree  diminished,  when, 
by  the  doubtful  twilight,  he  beheld  twenty  or  thirty  forms  rising 
alternately  from  the  cover  of  the  tall,  coarse  grass,  in  front  of  the 
lodges,  and  then  sinking  again  from  the  sight,  as  it  were  to  bur 
row  in  the  earth.  By  the  sudden  and  hasty  glimpses  that  he 
caught  of  these  figures,  they  seemed  more  like  dark  glancing  spec- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  241 

tres,  or  some  other  unearthly  heings,  than  creatures  fashioned 
with  the  ordinary  and  vulgar  materials  of  flesh  and  blood.  A 
gaunt,  naked  form  was  seen,  for  a  single  instant,  tossing  its  arms 
wildly  in  the  air,  and  then  the  spot  it  had  filled  was  vacant;  the 
figure  appearing  suddenly  in  some  other  and  distant  place,  or 
being  succeeded  by  another,  possessing  the  same  mysterious  char 
acter.  David,  observing  that  his  companion  lingered,  pursued 
the  direction  of  his  gaze,  and  in  some  measure  recalled  the  recol 
lection  of  Heyward,  by  speaking. 

"There  is  much  fruitful  soil  uncultivated  here,"  he  said;  "and 
I  may  add,  without  the  sinful  leaven  of  self-commendation,  that 
since  my  short  sojourn  in  these  heathenish  abodes,  much  good 
seed  has  been  scattered  by  the  wayside." 

"The  tribes  are  fonder  of  the  chase  than  of  the  arts  of  men 
of  labor,"  returned  the  unconscious  Duncan,  still  gazing  at  the 
objects  of  his  wonder. 

"It  is  rather  joy  than  labor  to  the  spirit,  to  lift  up  the  voice 
in  praise;  but  sadly  do  these  boys  abuse  their  gifts.  Rarely  have 
I  found  any  of  their  age,  on  whom  nature  has  so  freely  bestowed 
the  elements  of  psalmody;  and  surely,  surely,  there  are  none  who 
neglect  them  more.  Three  nights  have  I  now  tarried  here,  and 
three  several  times  have  I  assembled  the  urchins  to  j  oin  in  sacred 
song;  and  as  often  have  they  responded  to  my  efforts  with  whoop- 
ings  and  howlings  that  have  chilled  my  soul!" 

"Of  whom  speak  you?" 

"Of  those  children  of  the  devil,  who  waste  the  precious  mo 
ments  in  yonder  idle  antics.  Ah !  the  wholesome  restraint  of  dis 
cipline  is  but  little  known  among  this  self-abandoned  people.  In 
a  country  of  birches,  a  rod  is  never  seen;  and  it  ought  not  to 
appear  a  marvel  in  my  eyes,  that  the  choicest  blessings  of  Provi 
dence  are  wasted  in  such  cries  as  these." 

David  closed  his  ears  against  the  juvenile  pack,  whose  yell 
just  then  rang  shrilly  through  the  forest;  and  Duncan,  suffering 
his  lip  to  curl,  as  in  mockery  of  his  own  superstition,  said  firmly: 

"We  will  proceed." 

Without  removing  the  safeguards  from  his  ears,  the  master 
of  song  complied,  and  together  they  pursued  their  way  towards 
what  David  was  sometimes  wont  to  call  "the  tents  of  the  Phil 
istines." 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

"But  though  the  beast  of  game 
The  privilege  of  chase  may  claim; 
Though  space  and  law  the  stag  we  lend 
Ere  hound  we  slip,  or  bow  we  bend ; 
Who  ever  recked,  where,  how,  or  when 
The  prowling  fox  was  trapped  or  slain?" 

Lady  of  the  Lake. 

IT  is  unusual  to  find  an  encampment  of  the  natives,  like  those  of 
the  more  instructed  whites,  guarded  by  the  presence  of  armed 
men.  Well  informed  of  the  approach  of  every  danger,  while  it 
is  yet  at  a  distance,  the  Indian  generally  rests  secure  under  his 
knowledge  of  the  signs  of  the  forest,  and  the  long  and  difficult 
paths  that  separate  him  from  those  he  has  most  reason  to  dread. 
But  the  enemy  who,  by  any  lucky  concurrence  of  accidents,  has 
found  means  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  the  scouts,  will  seldom  meet 
with  sentinels  nearer  home  to  sound  the  alarm.  In  addition  to 
this  general  usage,  the  tribes  friendly  to  the  French  knew  too  well 
the  weight  of  the  blow  that  had  just  been  struck,  to  apprehend 
any  immediate  danger  from  the  hostile  nations  that  were  tribu 
tary  to  the  crown  of  Britain. 

When  Duncan  and  David,  therefore,  found  themselves  in  the 
centre  of  the  children,  who  played  the  antics  already  mentioned, 
it  was  with  the  least  previous  intimation  of  their  approach.  But 
so  soon  as  they  were  observed,  the  whole  of  the  juvenile  pack 
raised,  by  common  consent,  a  shrill  and  warning  whoop ;  and  then 
sank,  as  it  were,  by  magic,  from  before  the  sight  of  their  visitors. 
The  naked,  tawny  bodies  of  the  crouching  urchins  blended  so 
nicely,  at  that  hour,  with  the  withered  herbage,  that  at  first  it 
seemed  as  if  the  earth  had,  in  truth,  swallowed  up  their  forms; 
though  when  surprise  permitted  Duncan  to  bend  his  look  more 
curiously  about  the  spot,  he  found  it  everywhere  met  by  dark, 
quick,  and  rolling  eyeballs. 

Gathering  no  encouragement  from  this  startling  presage  of 
the  nature  of  the  scrutiny  he  was  likely  to  undergo  from  the  more 
mature  judgments  of  the  men,  there  was  an  instant  when  the 

242 


THE   LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS  243 

young  soldier  would  have  retreated.  It  was,  however,  too  late 
to  appear  to  hesitate.  The  cry  of  the  children  had  drawn  a  dozen 
warriors  to  the  door  of  the  nearest  lodge,  where  they  stood  clus 
tered  in  a  dark  and  savage  group,  gravely  awaiting  the  nearer 
approach  of  those  who  had  unexpectedly  come  among  them. 

David,  in  some  measure  familiarized  to  the  scene,  led  the 
way  with  a  steadiness  that  no  slight  obstacle  was  likely  to  discon 
cert,  into  this  very  building.  It  was  the  principal  edifice  of  the 
village,  though  roughly  constructed  of  the  bark  and  branches  of 
trees;  being  the  lodge  in  which  the  tribe  held  its  councils  and 
public  meetings  during  their  temporary  residence  on  the  borders 
of  the  English  province.  Duncan  found  it  difficult  to  assume  the 
necessary  appearance  of  unconcern,  as  he  brushed  the  dark  and 
powerful  frames  of  the  savages  who  thronged  its  threshold;  but, 
conscious  that  his  existence  depended  on  his  presence  of  mind,  he 
trusted  to  the  discretion  of  his  companion,  whose  footsteps  he 
closely  followed,  endeavoring,  as  he  proceeded,  to  rally  his 
thoughts  for  the  occasion.  His  blood  curdled  when  he  found  him 
self  in  absolute  contact  with  such  fierce  and  implacable  enemies; 
but  he  so  far  mastered  his  feelings  as  to  pursue  his  way  into  the 
centre  of  the  lodge,  with  an  exterior  that  did  not  betray  the 
weakness.  Imitating  the  example  of  the  deliberate  Gamut,  he 
drew  a  bundle  of  fragrant  brush  from  beneath  a  pile  that  filled  a 
corner  of  the  hut,  and  seated  himself  in  silence. 

So  soon  as  their  visitor  had  passed,  the  observant  warriors  fell 
back  from  the  entrance,  and  arranging  themselves  about  him, 
they  seemed  patiently  to  await  the  moment  when  it  might  com 
port  with  the  dignity  of  the  stranger  to  speak.  By  far  the  greater 
number  stood  leaning,  in  lazy,  lounging  attitudes,  against  the  up 
right  posts  that  supported  the  crazy  building,  while  three  or  four 
of  the  oldest  and  most  distinguished  of  the  chiefs  placed  them 
selves  on  the  earth  a  little  more  in  advance. 

A  flaring  torch  was  burning  in  the  place,  and  sent  its  red  glare 
from  face  to  face  and  figure  to  figure,  as  it  waved  in  the  currents 
of  air.  Duncan  profited  by  its  light  to  read  the  probable  char 
acter  of  his  reception,  in  the  countenances  of  his  hosts.  But  his 
ingenuity  availed  him  little,  against  the  cold  artifices  of  the  people 
he  had  encountered.  The  chiefs  in  front  scarce  cast  a  glance  at 
his  person,  keeping  their  eyes  on  the  ground,  with  an  air  that 
might  have  been  intended  for  respect,  but  which  it  was  quite  easy 
to  construe  into  distrust.  The  men  in  shadow  were  less  reserved. 


244  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

Duncan  soon  detected  their  searching,  but  stolen  looks,  which, 
in  truth,  scanned  his  person  and  attire  inch  by  inch;  leaving  no 
emotion  of  the  countenance,  no  gesture,  no  line  of  the  paint,  nor 
even  the  fashion  of  a  garment,  unheeded,  and  without  comment. 

At  length  one  whose  hair  was  beginning  to  be  sprinkled  with 
gray,  but  whose  sinewy  limbs  and  firm  tread  announced  that  he 
was  still  equal  to  the  duties  of  manhood,  advanced  out  of  the 
gloom  of  a  corner,  whither  he  had  probably  posted  himself  to 
make  his  observations  unseen,  and  spoke.  He  used  the  language 
of  the  Wyandots,  or  Hurons;  his  words  were,  consequently,  un 
intelligible  to  Heyward,  though  they  seemed,  by  the  gestures  that 
accompanied  them,  to  be  uttered  more  in  courtesy  than  anger. 
The  latter  shook  his  head,  and  made  a  gesture  indicative  of  his 
inability  to  reply. 

"Do  none  of  my  brothers  speak  the  French  or  the  English?" 
he  said,  in  the  former  language,  looking  about  him  from  counte 
nance  to  countenance,  in  hopes  of  finding  a  nod  of  assent. 

Though  more  than  one  had  turned,  as  if  to  catch  the  meaning 
of  his  words,  they  remained  unanswered. 

"I  should  be  grieved  to  think,"  continued  Duncan,  speaking 
slowly,  and  using  the  simplest  French  of  which  he  was  the  master, 
"to  believe,  that  none  of  this  wise  and  brave  nation  understand 
the  language  that  the'  'Grand  Monarque'  uses  when  he  talks  to 
his  children.  His  heart  would  be  heavy  did  he  believe  his  red 
warriors  paid  him  so  little  respect!" 

A  long  and  grave  pause  succeeded,  during  which  no  move 
ment  of  a  limb,  nor  any  expression  of  an  eye,  betrayed  the  im 
pression  produced  by  his  remark.  Duncan,  who  knew  that  silence 
was  a  virtue  among  his  hosts,  gladly  had  recourse  to  the  custom, 
in  order  to  arrange  his  ideas.  At  length  the  same  warrior  who 
had  before  addressed  him  replied,  by  dryly  demanding,  in  the 
language  of  the  Canadas— - 

"When  our  Great  Father  speaks  to  his  people,  is  it  with  the 
tongue  of  a  Huron?" 

"He  knows  no  difference  in  his  children,  whether  the  color  of 
the  skin  be  red,  or  black,  or  white,"  returned  Duncan,  evasively; 
"though  chiefly  is  he  satisfied  with  the  brave  Hurons." 

"In  what  manner  will  he  speak,"  demanded  the  wary  chief, 
"when  the  runners  count  to  him  the  scalps  which  five  nights  ago 
grew  on  the  heads  of  the  Yengeese?" 

"They  were  his  enemies,"  said  Duncan,  shuddering  involun- 


Copyright  by  Charles  Scribntf'i  Sons 


IN  THE  COUNCIL  LODGE 

A  flaring  torch  was  burning  in  thz  place,  and  sent  its 
red  glare  from  face  io  face  and  figure  to  figure,  as  it 
Waved  in  th:  currents  of  air 


IN  THH  COUNCIL  LODGE 

A  .faring  torch  trtu  fuming  m  thi  t>iacs,  one  unt  ito 
red  glare  _'rom  race  to  face  and  r:~vre  ro  jigun,  o>  :i 
a'aoeg  in  ths  currrnrj  c.f  air 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  245 

tarily;  "and,  doubtless,  he  will  say,  It  is  good;  my  Hurons  are 
very  gallant." 

"Our  Canada  father  does  not  think  it.  Instead  of  looking 
forward  to  reward  his  Indians,  his  eyes  are  turned  backward. 
He  sees  the  dead  Yengeese,  but  no  Huron.  What  can  this 
mean?" 

"A  great  chief,  like  him,  has  more  thoughts  than  tongues.  He 
looks  to  see  that  no  enemies  are  on  his  trail." 

"The  canoe  of  a  dead  warrior  will  not  float  on  the  Horican," 
returned  the  savage,  gloomily.  "His  ears  are  open  to  the  Dela- 
wares,  who  are  not  our  friends,  and  they  fill  them  with  lies." 

"It  cannot  be.  See;  he  has  bid  me,  who  am  a  man  that  knows 
the  art  of  healing,  to  go  to  his  children,  the  red  Hurons  of  the 
great  lakes,  and  ask  if  any  are  sick!" 

Another  silence  succeeded  this  annunciation  of  the  character 
Duncan  had  assumed.  Every  eye  was  simultaneously  bent  on  his 
person,  as  if  to  inquire  into  the  truth  or  falsehood  of  the  declara 
tion,  with  an  intelligence  and  keenness  that  caused  the  subject  of 
their  scrutiny  to  tremble  for  the  result.  He  was,  however,  re 
lieved  again  by  the  former  speaker. 

"Do  the  cunning  men  of  the  Canadas  paint  their  skins?"  the 
Huron  coldly  continued;  "we  have  heard  them  boast  that  their 
faces  were  pale." 

"When  an  Indian  chief  comes  among  his  white  fathers,"  re 
turned  Duncan,  with  great  steadiness,  "he  lays  aside  his  buffalo 
robe,  to  carry  the  shirt  that  is  offered  him.  My  brothers  have 
given  me  paint,  and  I  wear  it." 

A  low  murmur  of  applause  announced  that  the  compliment 
to  the  tribe  was  favorably  received.  The  elderly  chief  made  a 
gesture  of  commendation,  which  was  answered  by  most  of  his 
companions,  who  each  threw  forth  a  hand,  and  uttered  a  brief 
exclamation  of  pleasure.  Duncan  began  to  breathe  more  freely, 
believing  that  the  weight  of  his  examination  was  past;  and  as  he 
had  already  prepared  a  simple  and  probable  tale  to  support  his 
pretended  occupation,  his  hopes  of  ultimate  success  grew 
brighter. 

After  a  silence  of  a  few  moments,  as  if  adjusting  his  thoughts, 
in  order  to  make  a  suitable  answer  to  the  declaration  their  guest 
had  just  given,  another  warrior  arose,  and  placed  himself  in  an 
attitude  to  speak.  While  his  lips  were  yet  in  the  act  of  parting, 
a  low  but  fearful  sound  arose  from  the  forest,  and  was  immedi- 


246  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

ately  succeeded  by  a  high,  shrill  yell,  that  was  drawn  out,  until 
it  equalled  the  longest  and  most  plaintive  howl  of  the  wolf.  The 
sudden  and  terrible  interruption  caused  Duncan  to  start  from  his 
seat,  unconscious  of  everything  but  the  effect  produced  by  so 
frightful  a  cry.  At  the  same  moment,  the  warriors  glided  in  a 
body  from  the  lodge,  and  the  outer  air  was  filled  with  loud  shouts, 
that  nearly  drowned  those  awful  sounds,  which  were  still  ringing 
beneath  the  arches  of  the  woods.  Unable  to  command  himself 
any  longer,  the  youth  broke  from  the  place,  and  presently  stood 
in  the  centre  of  a  disorderly  throng,  that  included  nearly  every 
thing  having  life,  within  the  limits  of  the  encampment.  Men, 
women,  and  children;  the  aged,  the  infirm,  the  active,  and  the 
strong,  were  alike  abroad;  some  exclaiming  aloud,  others  clap 
ping  their  hands  with  a  joy  that  seemed  frantic,  and  all  express 
ing  their  savage  pleasure  in  some  unexpected  event.  Though 
astounded,  at  first,  by  the  uproar,  Heyward  was  soon  enabled  to 
find  its  solution  by  the  scene  that  followed. 

There  yet  lingered  sufficient  light  in  the  heavens  to  exhibit 
those  bright  openings  among  the  tree-tops,  where  different  paths 
left  the  clearing  to  enter  the  depths  of  the  wilderness.  Beneath 
one  of  them,  a  line  of  warriors  issued  from  the  woods,  and  ad 
vanced  slowly  towards  the  dwellings.  One  in  front  bore  a  short 
pole,  on  which,  as  it  afterwards  appeared,  were  suspended  sev 
eral  human  scalps.  The  startling  sounds  that  Duncan  had  heard 
wrere  what  the  whites  have  not  inappropriately  called  the  "death- 
halloo;"  and  each  repetition  of  the  cry  was  intended  to  announce 
to  the  tribe  the  fate  of  an  enemy.  Thus  far  the  knowledge  of 
Heyward  assisted  him  in  the  explanation;  and  as  he  now  knew 
that  the  interruption  was  caused  by  the  unlooked-for  return  of  a 
successful  war -party,  every  disagreeable  sensation  was  quieted  in 
inward  congratulation,  for  the  opportune  relief  and  insignifi 
cance  it  conferred  on  himself. 

When  at  the  distance  of  a  few  hundred  feet  from  the  lodges, 
the  newly  arrived  warriors  halted.  Their  plaintive  and  terrific 
cry,  which  was  intended  to  represent  equally  the  wailings  of  the 
dead  and  the  triumph  of  the  victors,  had  entirely  ceased.  One  of 
their  number  now  called  aloud,  in  words  that  were  far  from 
appalling,  though  not  more  intelligible  to  those  for  whose  ears 
they  were  intended,  than  their  expressive  yells.  It  would  be  diffi 
cult  to  convey  a  suitable  idea  of  the  savage  ecstasy  with  which  the 
news  thus  imparted  was  received.  The  whole  encampment,  in 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  247 

a  moment,  became  a  scene  of  the  most  violent  bustle  and  com 
motion.  The  warriors  drew  their  knives,  and  flourishing  them, 
they  arranged  themselves  in  two  lines,  forming  a  lane  that  ex 
tended  from  the  war-party  to  the  lodges.  The  squaws  seized 
clubs,  axes,  or  whatever  weapon  of  offence  first  offered  itself  to 
their  hands,  and  rushed  eagerly  to  act  their  part  in  the  cruel  game 
that  was  at  hand.  Even  the  children  would  not  be  excluded ;  but 
boys,  little  able  to  wield  the  instruments,  tore  the  tomahawks 
from  the  belts  of  their  fathers,  and  stole  into  the  ranks,  apt  imi 
tators  of  the  savage  traits  exhibited  by  their  parents. 

Large  piles  of  brush  lay  scattered  about  the  clearing,  and  a 
wary  and  aged  squaw  was  occupied  in  firing  as  many  as  might 
serve  to  light  the  coming  exhibition.  As  the  flame  arose,  its 
power  exceeded  that  of  the  parting  day,  and  assisted  to  render 
objects  at  the  same  time  more  distinct  and  more  hideous.  The 
whole  scene  formed  a  striking  picture,  whose  frame  was  com 
posed  of  the  dark  and  tall  border  of  pines.  The  warriors  just 
arrived  were  the  most  distant  figures.  A  little  in  advance  stood 
two  men,  who  were  apparently  selected  from  the  rest,  as  the  prin 
cipal  actors  in  what  was  to  follow.  The  light  was  not  strong 
enough  to  render  their  features  distinct,  though  it  was  quite  evi 
dent  that  they  were  governed  by  very  different  emotions.  While 
one  stood  erect  and  firm,  prepared  to  meet  his  fate  like  a  hero, 
the  other  bowed  his  head,  as  if  palsied  by  terror  or  stricken  with 
shame.  The  high-spirited  Duncan  felt  a  powerful  impulse  of 
admiration  and  pity  towards  the  former,  though  no  opportunity 
could  offer  to  exhibit  his  generous  emotions.  He  watched  his 
slightest  movement,  however,  with  eager  eyes;  and  as  he  traced 
the  fine  outline  of  his  admirably  proportioned  and  active  frame, 
he  endeavored  to  persuade  himself,  that  if  the  powers  of  man,  sec 
onded  by  such  noble  resolution,  could  bear  one  harmless  through 
so  severe  a  trial,  the  youthful  captive  before  him  might  hope  for 
success  in  the  hazardous  race  he  was  about  to  run.  Insensibly 
the  young  man  drew  nigher  to  the  swarthy  lines  of  the  Hurons, 
and  scarcely  breathed,  so  intense  became  his  interest  in  the  spec 
tacle.  Just  then  the  signal  yell  was  given,  and  the  momentary 
quiet  which  had  preceded  it  was  broken  by  a  burst  of  cries,  that 
far  exceeded  any  before  heard.  The  most  abject  of  the  two  vic 
tims  continued  motionless;  but  the  other  bounded  from  the  place 
at  the  cry,  with  the  activity  and  swiftness  of  a  deer.  Instead  of 
rushing  through  the  hostile  lines,  as  had  been  expected,  he  just 


248  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

entered  the  dangerous  defile,  and  before  time  was  given  for  a 
single  blow,  turned  short,  and  leaping  the  heads  of  a  row  of  chil 
dren,  he  gained  at  once  the  exterior  arid  safer  side  of  the  formid 
able  array.  The  artifice  was  answered  by  a  hundred  voices  raised 
in  imprecations;  and  the  whole  of  the  excited  multitude  broke 
from  their  order,  and  spread  themselves  about  the  place  in  wild 
confusion. 

A  dozen  blazing  piles  now  shed  their  lurid  brightness  on  the 
place,  which  resembled  some  unhallowed  and  supernatural  arena, 
in  which  malicious  demons  had  assembled  to  act  their  bloody  and 
lawless  rites.  The  forms  in  the  background  looked  like  unearthly 
beings,  gliding  before  the  eye,  and  cleaving  the  air  with  frantic 
and  unmeaning  gestures;  while  the  savage  passions  of  such  as 
passed  the  flames,  were  rendered  fearfully  distinct  by  the  gleams 
that  shot  athwart  their  inflamed  visages. 

It  will  easily  be  understood,  that  amid  such  a  concourse  of 
vindictive  enemies,  no  breathing  time  was  allowed  the  fugitive. 
There  was  a  single  moment  when  it  seemed  as  if  he  would  have 
reached  the  forest,  but  the  whole  body  of  his  captors  threw  them 
selves  before  him,  and  drove  him  back  into  the  centre  of  his  re 
lentless  persecutors.  Turning  like  a  headed  deer,  he  shot,  with 
the  swiftness  of  an  arrow,  through  a  pillar  of  forked  flame,  and 
passing  the  whole  multitude  harmless,  he  appeared  on  the  oppo 
site  side  of  the  clearing.  Here  too  he  was  met  and  turned  by  a 
few  of  the  older  and  more  subtle  of  the  Hurons.  Once  more  he 
tried  the  throng,  as  if  seeking  safety  in  its  blindness,  and  then 
several  moments  succeeded,  during  which  Duncan  believed  the 
active  and  courageous  young  stranger  was  lost. 

Nothing  could  be  distinguished  but  a  dark  mass  of  human 
forms  tossed  and  involved  in  inexplicable  confusion.  Arms, 
gleaming  knives,  and  formidable  clubs,  appeared  above  them, 
but  the  blows  were  evidently  given  at  random.  The  awful  effect 
was  heightened  by  the  piercing  shrieks  of  the  women  and  the 
fierce  yells  of  the  warriors.  Now  and  then  Duncan  caught  a 
glimpse  of  a  light  form  cleaving  the  air  in  some  desperate  bound, 
and  he  rather  hoped  than  believed  that  the  captive  yet  retained 
the  command  of  his  astonishing  powers  of  activity.  Suddenly 
the  multitude  rolled  backward,  and  approached  the  spot  where 
he  himself  stood.  The  heavy  body  in  the  rear  pressed  upon  the 
women  and  children  in  front,  and  bore  them  to  the  earth.  The 
stranger  reappeared  in  the  confusion.  Human  power  could  not, 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  249 

however,  much  longer  endure  so  severe  a  trial.  Of  this  the  cap 
tive  seemed  conscious.  Profiting  by  the  momentary  opening,  he 
darted  from  among  the  warriors,  and  made  a  desperate,  and,  what 
seemed  to  Duncan,  a  final  effort  to  gain  the  wood.  As  if  aware 
that  no  danger  was  to  be  apprehended  from  the  young  soldier, 
the  fugitive  nearly  brushed  his  person  in  his  flight.  A  tall  and 
powerful  Huron,  who  had  husbanded  his  forces,  pressed  close 
upon  his  heels,  and  with  an  uplifted  arm  menaced  a  fatal  blow. 
Duncan  thrust  forth  a  foot,  and  the  shock  precipitated  the  eager 
savage  headlong,  many  feet  in  advance  of  his  intended  victim. 
Thought  itself  is  not  quicker  than  was  the  motion  with  which  the 
latter  profited  by  the  advantage;  he  turned,  gleamed  like  a  me 
teor  again  before  the  eyes  of  Duncan,  and  at  the  next  moment, 
when  the  latter  recovered  his  recollection,  and  gazed  around 
in  quest  of  the  captive,  he  saw  him  quietly  leaning  against  a 
small  painted  post,  which  stood  before  the  door  of  the  principal 
lodge. 

Apprehensive  that  the  part  he  had  taken  in  the  escape  might 
prove  fatal  to  himself,  Duncan  left  the  place  without  delay.  He 
followed  the  crowd,  which  drew  nigh  the  lodges,  gloomy  and 
sullen,  like  any  other  multitude  that  had  been  disappointed  in 
an  execution.  Curiosity,  or  perhaps  a  better  feeling,  induced  him 
to  approach  the  stranger.  Pie  found  him,  standing  with  one  arm 
cast  about  the  protecting  post,  and  breathing  thick  and  hard, 
after  his  exertions,  but  disdaining  to  permit  a  single  sign  of  suf 
fering  to  escape.  His  person  was  now  protected  by  immemorial 
and  sacred  usage,  until  the  tribe  in  council  had  deliberated  and 
determined  on  his  fate.  It  was  not  difficult,  however,  to  foretell 
the  result,  if  any  presage  could  be  drawn  from  the  feelings  of 
those  who  crowded  the  place. 

There  was  no  term  of  abuse  known  to  the  Huron  vocabulary 
that  the  disappointed  women  did  not  lavishly  expend  on  the  suc 
cessful  stranger.  They  flouted  at  his  efforts,  and  told  him,  with 
bitter  scoffs,  that  his  feet  were  better  than  his  hands;  and  that 
he  merited  wings,  while  he  knew  not  the  use  of  an  arrow  or  a 
knife.  To  all  this  the  captive  made  no  reply;  but  was  content  to 
preserve  an  attitude  in  which  dignity  was  singularly  blended  with 
disdain.  Exasperated  as  much  by  his  composure  as  by  his  good- 
fortune,  their  words  became  unintelligible,  and  were  succeeded 
by  shrill,  piercing  yells.  Just  then  the  crafty  squaw,  who  had 
taken  the  necessary  precaution  to  fire  the  piles,  made  her  way 


250  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

through  the  throng,  and  cleared  a  place  for  herself  in  front  of  the 
captive.  The  squalid  and  withered  person  of  this  hag  might  well 
have  obtained  for  her  the  character  of  possessing  more  than 
human  cunning.  Throwing  back  her  light  vestment,  she 
stretched  forth  her  long  skinny  arm,  in  derision,  and  using  the 
language  of  the  Lenape,  as  more  intelligible  to  the  subject  of 
her  gibes,  she  commenced  aloud— 

"Look  you,  Delaware!"  she  said,  snapping  her  fingers  in  his 
face ;  your  nation  is  a  race  of  women,  and  the  hoe  is  better  fitted 
to  your  hands  than  the  gun.  Your  squaws  are  the  mothers  of 
deer;  but  if  a  bear,  or  a  wild  cat,  or  a  serpent  were  born  among 
you,  ye  would  flee.  The  Huron  girls  shall  make  you  petticoats, 
and  we  will  find  you  a  husband." 

A  burst  of  savage  laughter  succeeded  this  attack,  during 
which  the  soft  and  musical  merriment  of  the  younger  females 
strangely  chimed  with  the  cracked  voice  of  their  older  and  more 
malignant  companion.  But  the  stranger  was  superior  to  all  their 
efforts.  His  head  was  immovable ;  nor  did  he  betray  the  slightest 
consciousness  that  any  were  present,  except  when  his  haughty 
eye  rolled  towards  the  dusky  forms  of  the  warriors,  who  stalked 
in  the  background,  silent  and  sullen  observers  of  the  scene. 

Infuriated  at  the  self-command  of  the  captive,  the  woman 
placed  her  arms  akimbo;  and  throwing  herself  into  a  posture  of 
defiance,  she  broke  out  anew,  in  a  torrent  of  words  that  no  art  of 
ours  could  commit  successfully  to  paper.  Her  breath  was,  how 
ever,  expended  in  vain;  for,  although  distinguished  in  her  own 
nation  as  a  proficient  in  the  art  of  abuse,  she  was  permitted  to 
work  herself  into  such  a  fury  as  actually  to  foam  at  the  mouth, 
without  causing  a  muscle  to  vibrate  in  the  motionless  figure  of 
the  stranger.  The  effect  of  his  indifference  began  to  extend  itself 
to  the  other  spectators;  and  a  youngster,  who  was  just  quitting 
the  condition  of  a  boy,  to  enter  the  state  of  manhood,  attempted 
to  assist  the  termagant,  by  flourishing  his  tomahawk  before  their 
victim,  and  adding  his  empty  boasts  to  the  taunts  of  the  woman. 
Then,  indeed,  the  captive  turned  his  face  towards  the  light,  and 
looked  down  on  the  stripling  with  an  expression  that  was  superior 
to  contempt.  At  the  next  moment  he  resumed  his  quiet  and  re 
clining  attitude  against  the  post.  But  the  change  of  posture  had 
permitted  Duncan  to  exchange  glances  with  the  firm  and  piercing 
eyes  of  Uncas. 

Breathless  with  amazement,  and  heavily  oppressed  with  the 


t'vpyriyht  by  Charles  Scribner's  Sons 


THK   TERMAGANT 

Throwing  bacfa  her  light  vesiment,  she  sirctcbcc!  forth 
her  long  skinny  arm,  in  derision 


r 


THK   TERMAGANT 

/  hrowing  hack  her  lit?ht  restmenf.  she  stretched  forth 
her  /on?  skinny  arm,  in  derision 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  251 

critical  situation  of  his  friend,  Heyward  recoiled  before  the  look, 
trembling  lest  its  meaning  might,  in  some  unknown  manner, 
hasten  the  prisoner's  fate.  There  was  not,  however,  any  instant 
cause  for  such  an  apprehension.  Just  then  a  warrior  forced  his 
way  into  the  exasperated  crowd.  Motioning  the  women  and  chil 
dren  aside  with  a  stern  gesture,  he  took  Uncas  by  the  arm,  and 
led  him  towards  the  door  of  the  council  lodge.  Thither  all  the 
chiefs,  and  most  of  the  distinguished  warr/brs,  followed;  among 
whom  the  anxious  Heyward  found  means  to  enter  without  at 
tracting  any  dangerous  attention  to  himself. 

A  few  minutes  were  consumed  in  disposing  of  those  present 
in  a  manner  suitable  to  their  rank  and  influence  in  the  tribe.  An 
order  very  similar  to  that  adopted  in  the  preceding  interview  was 
observed ;  the  aged  and  superior  chiefs  occupying  the  area  of  the 
spacious  apartment,  within  the  powerful  light  of  a  glaring  torch, 
while  their  juniors  and  inferiors  were  arranged  in  the  back 
ground,  presenting  a  dark  outline  of  swarthy  and  marked  vis 
ages.  In  the  very  centre  of  the  lodge,  immediately  under  an 
opening  that  admitted  the  twinkling  light  of  one  or  two  stars, 
stood  Uncas,  calm,  elevated,  and  collected.  His  high  and 
haughty  carriage  was  not  lost  on  his  captors,  who  often  bent  their 
looks  on  his  person,  with  eyes  which,  while  they  lost  none  of  their 
inflexibility  of  purpose,  plainly  betrayed  their  admiration  of  the 
stranger's  daring. 

The  case  was  different  with  the  individual  whom  Duncan  had 
observed  to  stand  forth  with  his  friend,  previously  to  the  desper 
ate  trial  of  speed;  and  who,  instead  of  joining  in  the  chase,  had 
remained,  throughout  its  turbulent  uproar,  like  a  cringing  statue, 
expressive  of  shame  and  disgrace.  Though  not  a  hand  had  been 
extended  to  greet  him,  nor  yet  an  eye  had  condescended  to  watch 
his  movements,  he  had  also  entered  the  lodge,  as  though  impelled 
by  a  fate  to  whose  decrees  he  submitted,  seemingly,  without  a 
struggle.  Heyward  profited  by  the  first  opportunity  to  gaze  in 
his  face,  secretly  apprehensive  he  might  find  the  features  of  an 
other  acquaintance;  but  they  proved  to  be  those  of  a  stranger, 
and,  what  was  still  more  inexplicable,  of  one  who  bore  all  the  dis 
tinctive  marks  of  a  Huron  warrior.  Instead  of  mingling  with 
his  tribe,  however,  he  sat  apart,  a  solitary  being  in  a  multitude, 
his  form  shrinking  into  a  crouching  and  abject  attitude,  as  if 
anxious  to  fill  as  little  space  as  possible,  When  each  individual 
had  taken  his  proper  station,  and  silence  reigned  in  the  place,  the 


252  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

gray-haired  chief  already  introduced  to  the  reader,  spoke  aloud, 
in  the  language  of  the  Lenni  Lenape. 

"Delaware,"  he  said,  "though  one  of  a  nation  of  women,  you 
have  proved  yourself  a  man.  I  would  give  you  food ;  but  he  who 
eats  with  a  Huron  should  become  his  friend.  Hest  in  peace  till 
the  morning  sun,  when  our  last  words  shall  be  spoken." 

"Seven  nights,  and  as  many  summer  days,  have  I  fasted  on 
the  trail  of  the  Hurons,"  Uncas  coldly  replied;  "the  children  of 
the  Lenape  know  how  to  travel  the  path  of  the  just  without 
lingering  to  eat." 

"Two  of  my  young  men  are  in  pursuit  of  your  companion," 
resumed  the  other,  without  appearing  to  regard  the  boast  of  his 
captive;  "when  they  get  back,  then  will  our  wise  men  say  to  you 
'live'  or  'die.' ' 

"Has  a  Huron  no  ears?"  scornfully  exclaimed  Uncas;  "twice, 
since  he  has  been  your  prisoner,  has  the  Delaware  heard  a  gun 
that  he  knows.  Your  young  men  will  never  come  back!" 

A  short  and  sullen  pause  succeeded  this  bold  assertion.  Dun 
can,  who  understood  the  Mohican  to  allude  to  the  fatal  rifle  of 
the  scout,  bent  forward  in  earnest  observation  of  the  effect  it 
might  produce  on  the  conquerors ;  but  the  chief  was  content  with 
simply  retorting,— 

"If  the  Lenape  are  so  skilful,  why  is  one  of  their  bravest  war 
riors  here?" 

"He  followed  in  the  steps  of  a  flying  coward,  and  fell  into  a 
snare.  The  cunning  beaver  may  be  caught." 

As  Uncas  thus  replied,  he  pointed  with  his  finger  toward 
the  solitary  Huron,  but  without  deigning  to  bestow  any  other 
notice  on  so  unworthy  an  object.  The  words  of  the  answer  and 
the  air  of  the  speaker  produced  a  strong  sensation  among  his 
auditors.  Every  eye  rolled  sullenly  towards  the  individual  indi 
cated  by  the  simple  gesture,  and  a  low,  threatening  murmur 
passed  through  the  crowd.  The  ominous  sounds  reached  the 
outer  door,  and  the  women  and  children  pressing  into  the  throng, 
no  gap  had  been  left,  between  shoulder  and  shoulder,  that  was 
not  now  filled  with  the  dark  lineaments  of  some  eager  and  curious 
human  countenance. 

In  the  meantime,  the  more  aged  chiefs,  in  the  centre,  com 
muned  with  each  other  in  short  and  broken  sentences.  Not  a 
word  was  uttered  that  did  not  convey  the  meaning  of  the  speaker, 
in  the  simplest  and  most  energetic  form.  Again,  a  long  and 


THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  253 

deeply  solemn  pause  took  place.  It  was  known,  by  all  present, 
to  be  the  grave  precursor  of  a  weighty  and  important  judgment. 
They  who  composed  the  outer  circle  of  faces  were  on  tiptoe  to 
gaze;  and  even  the  culprit  for  an  instant  forgot  his  shame  in  a 
deeper  emotion,  and  exposed  his  abject  features,  in  order  to  cast 
an  anxious  and  troubled  glance  at  the  dark  assemblage  of  chiefs. 
The  silence  was  finally  broken  by  the  aged  warrior  so  often 
named.  He  arose  from  the  earth,  and  moving  past  the  immova 
ble  form  of  Uncas,  placed  himself  in  a  dignified  attitude  before 
the  offender.  At  that  moment,  the  withered  squaw  already  men 
tioned  moved  into  the  circle,  in  a  slow,  sideling  sort  of  a  dance, 
holding  the  torch,  and  muttering  the  indistinct  words  of  what 
might  have  been  a  species  of  incantation.  Though  her  presence 
was  altogether  an  intrusion,  it  was  unheeded. 

Approaching  Uncas,  she  held  the  blazing  brand  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  cast  its  red  glare  on  his  person,  and  to  expose  the 
slightest  emotion  of  his  countenance.  The  Mohican  maintained 
his  firm  and  haughty  attitude;  and  his  eye,  so  far  from  deigning 
to  meet  her  inquisitive  look,  dwelt  steadily  on  the  distance,  as 
though  it  penetrated  the  obstacles  which  impeded  the  view,  and 
looked  into  futurity.  Satisfied  with  her  examination,  she  left 
him,  with  a  slight  expression  of  pleasure,  and  proceeded  to  prac 
tise  the  same  trying  experiment  on  her  delinquent  countryman. 

The  young  Huron  was  in  his  war  paint,  and  very  little  of  a 
finely  moulded  form  was  concealed  by  his  attire.  The  light 
rendered  every  limb  and  joint  discernible,  and  Duncan  turned 
away  in  horror  when  he  saw  they  were  writhing  in  irrepressible 
agony.  The  woman  was  commencing  a  low  and  plaintive  howl 
at  the  sad  and  shameful  spectacle,  when  the  chief  put  forth  his 
hand  and  gently  pushed  her  aside. 

"Reed-that-bends,"  he  said,  addressing  the  young  culprit  by 
name,  and  in  his  proper  language,  "though  the 'Great  Spirit  has 
made  you  pleasant  to  the  eyes,  it  would  have  been  better  that  you 
had  not  been  born.  Your  tongue  is  loud  in  the  village,  but  in 
battle  it  is  still.  None  of  my  young  men  strike  the  tomahawk 
deeper  into  the  war-post — none  of  them  so  lightly  on  the  Yen- 
geese.  The  enemy  know  the  shape  of  your  back/but  they  have 
never  seen  the  color  of  your  eyes.  Three  times  have  they  called 
on  you  to  come,  and  as  often  did  you  forget  to  answer.'  Your 
name  will  never  be  mentioned  again  in  your  tribe — it  is  already 
forgotten." 


254  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

As  the  chief  slowly  uttered  these  words,  pausing  impressively 
between  each  sentence,  the  culprit  raised  his  face,  in  deference 
to  the  other's  rank  and  years.  Shame,  horror,  and  pride  struggled 
in  its  lineaments.  His  eye,  which  was  contracted  with  inward 
anguish,  gleamed  on  the  persons  of  those  whose  breath  was  his 
fame;  and  the  latter  emotion  for  an  instant  predominated.  He 
arose  to  his  feet,  and  baring  his  bosom,  looked  steadily  on  the 
keen,  glittering  knife,  that  was  already  upheld  by  his  inexorable 
judge.  As  the  weapon  passed  slowly  into  his  heart  he  even 
smiled,  as  if  in  joy  at  having  found  death  less  dreadful  than  he 
had  anticipated,  and  fell  heavily  on  his  face,  at  the  feet  of  the 
rigid  and  unyielding  form  of  Uncas. 

The  squaw  gave  a  loud  and  plaintive  yell,  dashed  the  torch 
to  the  earth,  and  buried  everything  in  darkness.  The  whole  shud 
dering  group  of  spectators  glided  from  the  lodge,  like  troubled 
sprites;  and  Duncan  thought  that  he  and  the  yet  throbbing  body 
of  the  victim  of  an  Indian  judgment  had  now  become  its  only 
tenants. 


CHAPTER    XXIV 

"Thus  spoke  the  sage:  the  kings  without  delay 
Dissolve  the  council,  and  their  chief  obey." 

POPE'S  Iliad. 

A  SINGLE  moment  served  to  convince  the  youth  that  he  was  mis 
taken.  A  hand  was  laid,  with  a  powerful  pressure,  on  his  arm, 
and  the  low  voice  of  Uncas  muttered  in  his  ears,— 

"The  Hurons  are  dogs.     The  sight  of  a  coward's  blood  can 
never  make  a  warrior  tremble.    The  'Gray  Head'  and  the  Saga 
more  are  safe,  and  the  rifle  of  Hawkeye  is  not  asleep.       Go,— 
Uncas  and  the  'Open  Hand'  are  now  strangers.     It  is  enough." 

Heyward  would  gladly  have  heard  more,  but  a  gentle  push 
from  his  friend  urged  him  towards  the  door,  and  admonished 
him  of  the  danger  that  might  attend  the  discovery  of  their  inter 
course.  Slowly  and  reluctantly  yielding  to  the  necessity,  he 
quitted  the  place,  and  mingled  with  the  throng  that  hovered  nigh. 
The  dying  fires  in  the  clearing  cast  a  dim  and  uncertain  light  on 
the  dusky  figures  that  were  silently  stalking  to  and  fro;  and 
occasionally  a  brighter  gleam  than  common  glanced  into  the 
lodge,  and  exhibited  the  figure  of  Uncas  still  maintaining  its 
upright  attitude  near  the  dead  body  of  the  Huron. 

A  knot  of  warriors  soon  entered  the  place  again,  and  reissu 
ing,  they  bore  the  senseless  remains  into  the  adjacent  woods. 
After  this  termination  of  the  scene,  Duncan  wandered  among  the 
lodges,  unquestioned  and  unnoticed,  endeavoring  to  find  some 
trace  of  her  in  whose  behalf  he  incurred  the  risk  he  ran.  In  the 
present  temper  of  the  tribe,  it  would  have  been  easy  to  have  fled 
and  rejoined  his  companions,  had  such  a  wish  crossed  his  mind. 
But,  in  addition  to  the  never-ceasing  anxiety  on  account  of  Alice, 
a  fresher,  though  feebler  interest  in  the  fate  of  Uncas  assisted  to 
chain  him  to  the  spot.  He  continued,  therefore,  to  stray  from 
hut  to  hut,  looking  into  each  only  to  encounter  additional  dis 
appointment,  until  he  had  made  the  entire  circuit  of  the  village. 
Abandoning  a  species  of  inquiry  that  proved  so  fruitless,  he 
retraced  his  steps  to  the  council  lodge,  resolved  to  seek  and  ques 
tion  David,  in  order  to  put  an  end  to  his  doubts. 

£55 


256  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

On  reaching  the  building  which  had  proved  alike  the  seat  of 
judgment  and  the  place  of  execution,  the  young  man  found  that 
the  excitement  had  already  subsided.  The  warriors  had  reas 
sembled,  and  were  now  calmly  smoking,  while  they  conversed 
gravely  on  the  chief  incidents  of  their  recent  expedition  to  the 
head  of  the  Horican.  Though  the  return  of  Duncan  was  likely  to 
remind  them  of  his  character,  and  the  suspicious  circumstances 
of  his  visit,  it  produced  no  visible  sensation.  So  far,  the  terrible 
scene  that  had  just  occurred  proved  favorable  to  his  views,  and 
he  required  no  other  prompter  than  his  own  feelings  to  convince 
him  of  the  expediency  of  profiting  by  so  unexpected  an  ad 
vantage. 

Without  seeming  to  hesitate,  he  walked  into  the  lodge,  and 
took  his  seat  with  a  gravity  that  accorded  admirably  with  the  de 
portment  of  his  hosts.  A  hasty  but  searching  glance  sufficed  to 
tell  him  that,  though  Uncas  still  remained  where  he  had  left  him, 
David  had  not  reappeared.  No  other  restraint  was  imposed  on 
the  former  than  the  watchful  looks  of  a  young  Huron,  who  had 
placed  himself  at  hand;  though  an  armed  warrior  leaned  against 
the  post  that  formed  one  side  of  the  narrow  door-way.  In  every 
other  respect,  the  captive  seemed  at  liberty;  still  he  was  excluded 
from  all  participation  in  the  discourse,  and  possessed  much  more 
of  the  air  of  some  finely  moulded  statue  than  a  man  having  life 
and  volition. 

Heyward  had  too  recently  witnessed  a  frightful  instance  of 
the  prompt  punishments  of  the  people  into  whose  hands  he  had 
fallen,  to  hazard  an  exposure  by  any  officious  boldness.  He 
would  greatly  have  preferred  silence  and  meditation  to  speech, 
when  a  discovery  of  his  real  condition  might  prove  so  instantly 
fatal.  Unfortunately  for  this  prudent  resolution,  his  entertainers 
appeared  otherwise  disposed.  He  had  not  long  occupied  the  seat 
wisely  taken  a  little  in  the  shade,  when  another  of  the  elder  war 
riors,  who  spoke  the  French  language,  addressed  him:— 

"My  Canada  father  does  not  forget  his  children,"  said  the 
chief;  "I  thank  him.  An  evil  spirit  lives  in  the  wife  of  one  of  my 
young  men.  Can  "the  cunning  stranger  frighten  him  away?" 

Heyward  possessed  some  knowledge  of  the  mummery  prac 
tised  among  the  Indians,  in  the  cases  of  such  supposed  visitations. 
He  saw,  at  a  glance,  that  the  circumstance  might  possibly  be  im 
proved  to  further  his  own  end.  It  would,  therefore,  have  been 
difficult,  just  then,  to  have  uttered  a  proposal  that  would  have 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  257 

given  him  more  satisfaction.  Aware  of  the  necessity  of  pre 
serving  the  dignity  of  his  imaginary  character,  however,  he  re 
pressed  his  feelings,  and  answered  with  suitable  mystery,— 

"Spirits  differ;  some  yield  to  the.  power  of  wisdom,  while 
others  are  too  strong." 

"My  brother  is  a  great  medicine,"  said  the  cunning  savage; 
"he  will  try?" 

A  gesture  of  assent  was  the  answer.  The  Huron  was  content 
with  the  assurance,  and  resuming  his  pipe,  he  awaited  the  proper 
moment  to  move.  The  impatient  Heyward,  inwardly  execrating 
the  cold  customs  of  the  savages,  which  required  such  sacrifices  to 
appearance,  was  fain  to  assume  an  air  of  indifference,  equal  to 
that  maintained  by  the  chief,  who  was,  in/ truth,  a  near  relative  of 
the  afflicted  woman.  The  minutes  lingered,  and  the  delay  had 
seemed  an  hour  to  the  adventurer  in  empiricism,  when  the  Huron 
laid  aside  his  pipe,  and  drew  his  robe  across  his  breast,  as  if  about 
to  lead  the  way  to  the  lodge  of  the  invalid.  Just  then,  a  warrior 
of  powerful  frame  darkened  the  door,  and  stalking  silently  among 
the  attentive  group,  he  seated  himself  on  one  end  of  the  low  pile 
of  brush  which  sustained  Duncan.  The  latter  cast  an  impatient 
look  at  his  neighbor,  and  felt  his  flesh  creep  with  uncontrollable 
horror  when  he  found  himself  in  actual  contact  with  Magua. 

The  sudden  return  of  this  artful  and  dreaded  chief  caused  a 
delay  in  the  departure  of  the  Huron.  Several  pipes,  that  had 
been  extinguished,  were  lighted  again;  wrhile  the  newcomer, 
without  speaking  a  word,  drew  his  tomahawk  from  his  girdle,  and 
filling  the  bowl  on  its  head,  began  to  inhale  the  vapors  of  the  weed 
through  the  hollow  handle,  with  as  much  indifference  as  if  he  had 
not  been  absent  two  weary  days  on  a  long  and  toilsome  hunt. 
Ten  minutes,  which  appeared  so  many  ages  to  Duncan,  might 
have  passed  in  this  manner;  and  the  warriors  were  fairly  envel 
oped  in  a  cloud  of  white  smoke  before  any  of  them  spoke. 

"Welcome!"  one  at  length  uttered;  "has  my  friend  found  the 
moose?" 

"The  young  men  stagger  under  their  burdens,"  returned 
Magua.  "Let  'Reed-that-bends'  go  on  the  hunting-path;  he  will 
meet  them." 

A  deep  and  awful  silence  succeeded  the  utterance  of  the  for 
bidden  name.  Each  pipe  dropped  from  the  lips  of  its  owner  as 
though  all  had  inhaled  an  impurity  at  the  same  instant.  The 
smoke  wreathed  above  their  heads  in  little  eddies,  and  curling  in 


258  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

a  spiral  foz-m,  it  ascended  swiftly  through  the  opening  in  the  roof 
of  the  lodge,  leaving  the  place  beneath  clear  of  its  fumes,  and  each 
dark  visage  distinctly  visible.  The  looks  of  most  of  the  warriors 
were  riveted  on  the  earth;  though  a  few  of  the  younger  and  less 
gifted  of  the  party  suffered  their  wild  and  glaring  eye-balls  to 
roll  in  the  direction  of  a  white-headed  savage,  who  sat  between 
two  of  the  most  venerated  chiefs  of  the  tribe.  There  was  nothing 
in  the  air  or  attire  of  this  Indian  that  would  seem  to  entitle  him 
to  such  a  distinction.  The  former  was  rather  depressed,  than 
remarkable  for  the  bearing  of  the  natives ;  and  the  latter  was  such 
as  was  commonly  worn  by  the  ordinary  men  of  the  nation.  Like 
most  around  him,  for  more  than  a  minute  his  look  too  was  on  the 
ground;  but,  trusting  his  eyes  at  length  to  steal  a  glance  aside, 
he  perceived  that  he  was  becoming  an  object  of  general  attention. 
Then  he  arose  and  lifted  his  voice  in  the  general  silence. 

"It  was  a  lie,"  he  said;  "I  had  no  son.  He  who  was  called  by 
that  name  is  forgotten ;  his  blood  was  pale;  and  it  came  not  from 
the  veins  of  a  Huron ;  the  wicked  Chippewas  cheated  my  squaw. 
The  Great  Spirit  has  said,  that  the  family  of  Wiss-entush  should 
end;  he  is  happy  who  knows  that  the  evil  of  his  race  dies  with 
himself.  I  have  done." 

The  speaker,  who  was  the  father  of  the  recreant  young  In 
dian,  looked  round  and  about  him,  as  if  seeking  commendation 
of  his  stoicism  in  the  eyes  of  his  auditors.  But  the  stern  customs 
of  his  people  had  made  too  severe  an  exaction  of  the  feeble  old 
man.  The  expression  of  his  eye  contradicted  his  figurative  and 
boastful  language,  while  every  muscle  in  his  wrinkled  visage  was 
working  with  anguish.  Standing  a  single  minute  to  enjoy  his 
bitter  triumph,  he  turned  away,  as  if  sickening  at  the  gaze  of  men, 
and  veiling  his  face  in  his  blanket,  he  walked  from  the  lodge  with 
the  noiseless  step  of  an  Indian,  seeking,  in  the  privacy  of  his  own 
abode,  the  sympathy  of  one  like  himself,  aged,  forlorn,  and 
childless. 

The  Indians,  who  believe  in  the  hereditary  transmission  of 
virtues  and  defects  in  character,  suffered  him  to  depart  in  silence. 
Then,  with  an  elevation  of  breeding  that  many  in  a  more  culti 
vated  state  of  society  might  profitably  emulate,  one  of  the  chiefs 
drew  the  attention  of  the  young  men  from  the  weakness  they  had 
just  witnessed,  by  saying,  in  a  cheerful  voice,  addressing  himself 
in  courtesy  to  Magua,  as  the  newest  comer, — 

"The  Delawares  have  been  likq  bears  after  the  honey-pots,. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  259 

prowling  around  my  village.  But  who  has  ever  found  a  Huron 
asleep?" 

The  darkness  of  the  impending  cloud  which  precedes  a  burst 
of  thunder  was  not  blacker  than  the  brow  of  Magua  as  he  ex 
claimed, — 

"The  Delawares  of  the  Lakes!" 

"Not  so.  They  who  wear  the  petticoats  of  squaws,  on  their 
own  river.  One  of  them  has  been  passing  the  tribe." 

"Did  my  young  men  take  his  scalp?" 

"His  legs  were  good,  though  his  arm  is  better  for  the  hoe  than 
the  tomahawk,"  returned  the  other,  pointing  to  the  immovable 
form  of  Uncas. 

Instead  of  manifesting  any  womanish  curiosity  to  feast  his 
'eyes  with  the  sight  of  a  captive  from  a  people  he  was  known 
to  have  so  much  reason  to  hate,  Magua  continued  to  smoke,  with 
the  meditative  air  that  he  usually  maintained,  when  there  was  no 
immediate  call  on  his  cunning  or  his  eloquence.  Although  se 
cretly  amazed  at  the  facts  communicated  by  the  speech  of  the  aged 
father,  he  permitted  himself  to  ask  no  questions,  reserving  his 
inquiries  for  a  more  suitable  moment.  It  was  only  after  a  suffi 
cient  interval  that  he  shook  the  ashes  from  his  pipe,  replaced  the 
tomahawk,  tightened  his  girdle,  and  arose,  casting  for  the  first 
time  a  glance  in  the  direction  of  the  prisoner,  who  stood  a  little 
behind  him.  The  wary,  though  seemingly  abstracted  LTncas, 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  movement,  and  turning  suddenly  to  the 
light,  their  looks  met.  Near  a  minute  these  two  bold  and  untamed 
spirits  stood  regarding  one  another  steadily  in  the  eye,  neither 
quailing  in  the  least  before  the  fierce  gaze  he  encountered.  The 
form  of  Uncas  dilated,  and  his  nostrils  opened  like  those  of  a 
tiger  at  bay;  but  so  rigid  and  unyielding  was  his  posture,  that  he 
might  easily  have  been  converted  by  the  imagination  into  an 
exquisite  and  faultless  representation  of  the  warlike  deity  of  his 
tribe.  The  lineaments  of  the  quivering  features  of  Magua  proved 
more  ductile;  his  countenance  gradually  lost  its  character  of  de 
fiance  in  an  expression  of  ferocious  joy,  and  heaving  a  breath 
from  the  very  bottom  of  his  chest,  he  pronounced  aloud  the  very 
formidable  name  of— 

"LeCerf  Agile!" 

Each  warrior  sprang  upon  his  feet  at  the  utterance  of  the 
well  known  appellation,  and  there  was  a  short  period  during 
which  the  stoical  constancy  of  the  natives  was  completely  con- 


260  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

quered  by  surprise.  The  hated  and  yet  respected  name  was 
repeated  as  by  one  voice,  carrying  the  sound  even  beyond  the 
limits  of  the  lodge.  The  women  and  children,  who  lingered 
around  the  entrance,  took  up  the  words  in  an  echo,  which  was 
succeeded  by  another  shrill  and  plaintive  howl.  The  latter  was 
not  yet  ended,  when  the  sensation  among  the  men  had  entirely 
abated.  Each  one  in  presence  seated  himself,  as  though  ashamed 
of  his  precipitation;  but  it  was  many  minutes  before  their  mean 
ing  eyes  ceased  to  roll  towards  their  captive,  in  curious  examina 
tion  of  a  warrior  who  had  so  often  proved  his  prowess  on  the  best 
and  proudest  of  their  nation.  Uncas  enjoj'ed  his  victory,  but 
was  content  with  merely  exhibiting  his  triumph  by  a  quiet  smile— 
an  emblem  of  scorn  which  belongs  to  all  time  and  every  nation. 

Magua  caught  the  expression,  and  raising  his  arm,  he  shook 
it  at  the  captive,  the  light  silver  ornaments  attached  to  his  bracelet 
rattling  with  the  trembling  agitation  of  the  limb,  as,  in  a  tone  of 
vengeance,  he  exclaimed,  in  English,— 

"Mohican,  you  die!" 

"The  healing  waters  will  never  bring  the  dead  Hurons  to 
life,"  returned  Uncas,  in  the  music  of  the  Delawares;  "the  tum 
bling  river  washes  their  bones ;  their  men  are  squaws ;  their  women 
owls.  Go!  call  together  the  Huron  dogs,  that  they  may  look 
upon  a  warrior.  My  nostrils  are  offended;  they  scent  the  blood 
of  a  coward." 

The  latter  allusion  struck  deep,  and  the  injury  rankled. 
Many  of  the  Hurons  understood  the  strange  tongue  in  which  the 
captive  spoke,  among  which  number  was  Magua.  This  cunning 
savage  beheld,  and  instantly  profited  by  his  advantage.  Drop 
ping  the  light  robe  of  skin  from  his  shoulder,  he  stretched  forth 
his  arm,  and  commenced  a  burst  of  his  dangerous  and  artful 
eloquence.  However  much  his  influence  among  his  people  had 
been  impaired  by  his  occasional  and  besetting  weakness,  as  well 
as  by  his  desertion  of  the  tribe,  his  courage  and  his  fame  as  an 
orator  were  undeniable.  He  never  spoke  without  auditors,  and 
rarely  without  making  converts  to  his  opinions.  On  the  present 
occasion,  his  native  powers  were  stimulated  bv  the  thirst  of 
revenge. 

He  again  recounted  the  events  of  the  attack  on  the  island  at 
Glenn's,  the  death  of  his  associates,  and  the  escape  of  their  most 
formidable  enemies.  Then  he  described  the  nature  and  position 
of  the  mount  whither  he  had  led  such  captives  as  had  fallen  into 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  261 

their  hands.  Of  his  own.  bloody  intentions  towards  the  maidens, 
and  of  his  baffled  malice  he  made  no  mention,  but  passed  rapidly 
on  to  the  surprise  of  the  party  by  La  Longue  Carabine,  and  its 
fatal  termination.  Here  he  paused,  and  looked  about  him,  in 
affected  veneration  for  the  departed,  but,,  in  truth,  to  note  the 
effect  of  his  opening  narrative.  As  usual,  every  eye  was  riveted 
on  his  face.  Each  dusky  figure  seemed  a  breathing  statue,  so 
motionless  was  the  posture,  so  intense  the  attention  of  the  indi 
vidual. 

Then  Magua  dropped  his  voice,  which  had  hitherto  been  clear, 
strong,  and  elevated,  and  touched  upon  the  merits  of  the  dead. 
ISTo  quality  that  was  likely  to  command  the  sympathy  of  an  In 
dian  escaped  his  notice.  One  had  never  been  known  to  follow  the 
chase  in  vain ;  another  had  been  indefatigable  on  the  trail  of  their 
enemies.  This  was  brave,  that  generous.  In  short,  he  so  man 
aged  his  allusions,  that  in  a  nation,  which  was  composed  of  so 
few  families,  he  contrived  to  strike  every  chord  that  might  find, 
in  its  turn,  some  breast  in  which  to  vibrate. 

"Are  the  bones  of  my  young  men,"  he  concluded,  "in  the 
burial-place  of  the  Hurons?  You  know  they  are  not.  Their 
spirits  are  gone  towards  the  setting  sun,  and  are  already  crossing 
the  great  waters,  to  the  happy  hunting-grounds.  But  they  de 
parted  without  food,  without  guns  or  knives,  without  moccasins, 
naked  and  poor  as  they  were  born.  Shall  this  be?  Are  their 
souls  to  enter  the  land  of  the  just  like  hungry  Iroquois  or  un 
manly  Delawares;  or  shall  they  meet  their  friends  with  arms  in 
their  hands  and  robes  on  their  backs?  What  will  our  fathers 
think  the  tribes  of  the  Wyandots  have  become?  They  will  look 
on  their  children  with  a  dark  eye,  and  say,  Go!  a  Chippewa  has 
come  hither  with  the  name  of  a  Huron.  Brothers,  we  must  not 
forget  the  dead;  a  redskin  never  ceases  to  remember.  We  will 
load  the  back  of  this  Mohican  until  he  staggers  under  our  bounty, 
and  despatch  him  after  my  young  men.  They  call  to  us  for  aid, 
though  our  ears  are  not  open;  they  say,  Forget  us  not.  When 
they  see  the  spirit  of  this  Mohican  toiling  after  them  with  his 
burden,  they  will  know  we  are  of  that  mind.  Then  will  they  go 
on  happy;  and  our  children  will  say,  'So  did  our  fathers  to  their 
friends,  so  must  we  do  to  them.'  What  is  a  Yengee?  we  have 
slain  many,  but  the  earth  is  still  pale.  A  stain  on  the  name  of  a 
Huron  can  only  be  hid  by  blood  that  comes  from  the  veins  of  an 
Indian.  Let  this  Delaware  die." 


262  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

The  effect  of  such  an  harangue,  delivered  in  the  nervous  lan 
guage  and  with  the  emphatic  manner  of  a  Huron  orator,  could 
scarcely  be  mistaken.  Magua  had  so  artfully  blended  the  natural 
sympathies  with  the  religious  superstition  of  his  auditors,  that 
their  minds,  already  prepared  by  custom  to  sacrifice  a  victim  to 
the  manes  of  their  countrymen,  lost  every  vestige  of  humanity  in 
a  wish  for  revenge.  One  warrior  in  particular,  a  man  of  wild 
and  ferocious  mien,  had  been  conspicuous  for  the  attention  he  had 
given  to  the  words  of  the  speaker.  His  countenance  had  changed 
with  each  passing  emotion,  until  it  settled  into  a  look  of  deadly 
malice.  As  Magua  ended  he  arose,  and  uttering  the  yell  of  a 
demon,  his  polished  little  axe  was  seen  glancing  in  the  torch-light 
as  he  whirled  it  above  his  head.  The  motion  and  the  cry  were 
too  sudden  for  words  to  interrupt  his  bloody  intention.  It  ap 
peared  as  if  a  bright  gleam  shot  from  his  hand,  which  was  crossed 
at  the  same  moment  by  a  dark  and  powerful  line.  The  former 
was  the  tomahawk  in  its  passage ;  the  latter  the  arm  that  Magua 
darted  forward  to  divert  its  aim.  The  quick  and  ready  motion 
of  the  chief  was  not  entirely  too  late.  The  keen  weapon  cut  the 
war-plume  from  the  scalping-tuft  of  Uncas,  and  passed  through 
the  frail  wall  of  the  lodge,  as  though  it  were  hurled  from  some 
formidable  engine. 

Duncan  had  seen  the  threatening  action,  and  sprang  upon 
his  feet,  with  a  heart  which  while  it  leaped  into  his  throat,  swelled 
with  the  most  generous  resolution  in  behalf  of  his  friend.  A 
glance  told  him  that  the  blow  had  failed,  and  terror  changed  to 
admiration.  Uncas  stood  still,  looking  his  enemy  in  the  eye  with 
features  that  seemed  superior  to  emotion.  Marble  could  not  be 
colder,  calmer,  or  steadier  than  the  countenance  he  put  upon  this 
sudden  and  vindictive  attack.  Then,  as  if  pitying  a  want  of  skill 
which  had  proved  so  fortunate  to  himself,  he  smiled,  and  muttered 
a  few  words  of  contempt  in  his  own  tongue. 

"No!"  said  Magua,  after  satisfying  himself  of  the  safety  of 
the  captive;  "the  sun  must  shine  on  his  shame;  the  squaws  must 
see  his  flesh  tremble,  or  our  revenge  will  be  like  the  play  of  boys. 
Go !  take  him  where  there  is  silence ;  let  us  see  if  a  Delaware  can 
sleep  at  night,  and  in  the  morning  die." 

The  young  men  whose  duty  it  was  to  guard  the  prisoner  in 
stantly  passed  their  ligaments  of  bark  across  his  arms,  and  led 
him  from  the  lodge,  amid  a  profound  and  ominous  silence.  It 
was  only  as  the  figure  of  Uncas  stood  in  the  opening  of  the  door 


THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  263 

that  his  firm  step  hesitated.  There  he  turned,  and,  in  the  sweep 
ing  and  haughty  glance  that  he  threw  around  the  circle  of  his 
enemies,  Duncan  caught  a  look  which  he  was  glad  to  construe 
into  an  expression  that  he  was  not  entirely  deserted  by  hope. 

Magua  was  content  with  his  success,  or  too  much  occupied 
with  his  secret  purposes  to  push  his  inquiries  any  further.  Shak 
ing  his  mantle,  and  folding  it  on  his  bosom,  he  also  quitted  the 
place,  without  pursuing  a  subject  which  might  have  proved  so 
fatal  to  the  individual  at  his  elbow.  Notwithstanding  his  rising 
resentment,  his  natural  firmness,  and  his  anxiety  in  behalf  of 
Uncas,  Heyward  felt  sensibly  relieved  by  the  absence  of  so  dan 
gerous  and  so  subtle  a  foe.  The  excitement  produced  by  the 
speech  gradually  subsided.  The  warriors  resumed  their  seats, 
and  clouds  of  smoke  once  more  filled  the  lodge.  For  near  half 
an  hour,  not  a  syllable  was  uttered,  or  scarcely  a  look  cast  aside ; 
a  grave  and  meditative  silence  being  the  ordinary  succession  to 
every  scene  of  violence  and  commotion  among  those  beings,  who 
were  alike  so  impetuous  and  yet  so  self-restrained. 

When  the  chief  who  had  solicited  the  aid  of  Duncan  finished 
his  pipe,  he  made  a  final  and  successful  movement  towards  de 
parting.  A  motion  of  a  finger  was  the  intimation  he  gave  the 
supposed  physician  to  follow;  and  passing  through  the  clouds  of 
smoke,  Duncan  was  glad,  on  more  accounts  than  one,  to  be  able, 
at  last,  to  breathe  the  pure  air  of  a  cool  and  refreshing  summer 
evening. 

Instead  of  pursuing  his  way  among  those  lodges  where  Hey 
ward  had  already  made  his  unsuccessful  search,  his  companion 
turned  aside,  and  proceeded  directly  towards  the  base  of  an 
adjacent  mountain,  which  overhung  the  temporary  village.  A 
thicket  of  brush  skirted  its  foot,  and  it  became  necessary  to  pro 
ceed  through  a  crooked  and  narrow  path.  The  boys  had  resumed 
their  sports  in  the  clearing,  and  were  enacting  a  mimic  chase  to 
the  post  among  themselves.  In  order  to  render  their  games  as 
like  the  reality  as  possible,  one  of  the  boldest  of  their  number  had 
conveyed  a  few  brands  into  some  piles  of  tree-tops  that  had  hith 
erto  escaped  the  burning.  The  blaze  of  one  of  these  fires  lighted 
the  way  of  the  chief  and  Duncan,  and  gave  a  character  of  addi 
tional  wildness  to  the  rude  scenery.  At  a  little  distance  from  a 
bald  rock,  and  directly  in  its  front,  they  entered  a  grassy  opening, 
which  they  prepared  to  cross.  Just  then  fresh  fuel  was  added  to 
the  fire,  and  a  powerful  light  penetrated  even  to  that  distant  spot. 


264  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

It  fell  upon  the  white  surface  of  the  mountain,  and  was  reflected 
downwards  upon  a  dark  and  mysterious-looking  being  that  arose, 
unexpectedly,  in  their  path. 

The  Indian  paused,  as  if  doubtful  whether  to  proceed,  and 
permitted  his  companion  to  approach  his  side.  A  large  black 
ball,  which  at  first  seemed  stationary,  now  began  to  move  in  a 
manner  that  to  the  latter  was  inexplicable.  Again  the  fire 
brightened,  and  its  glare  fell  more  distinctly  on  the  object.  Then 
even  Duncan  knew  it,  by  its  restless  and  sideling  attitudes,  which 
kept  the  upper  part  of  its  form  in  constant  motion,  while  the 
animal  itself  appeared  seated,  to  be  a  bear.  Though  it  growled 
loudly  and  fiercely,  and  there  were  instants  when  its  glistening 
eye-balls  might  be  seen,  it  gave  no  other  indications  of  hostility. 
The  Huron,  at  least,  seemed  assured  that  the  intentions  of  this 
singular  intruder  were  peaceable,  for  after  giving  it  an  attentive 
examination,  he  quietly  pursued  his  course. 

Duncan,  who  knew  that  the  animal  was  often  domesticated 
among  the  Indians,  followed  the  example  of  his  companion,  be 
lieving  that  some  favorite  of  the  tribe  had  found  its  way  into  the 
thicket,  in  search  of  food.  They  passed  it  unmolested.  Though 
obliged  to  come  nearly  in  contact  with  the  monster,  the  Huron, 
who  had  at  first  so  warily  determined  the  character  of  his  strange 
visitor,  was  now  content  with  proceeding  without  wasting  a  mo 
ment  in  further  examination ;  but  Heyward  was  unable  to  prevent 
his  eyes  from  looking  backward,  in  salutary  watchfulness  against 
attacks  in  the  rear.  His  uneasiness  was  in  no  degree  diminished 
when  he  perceived  the  beast  rolling  along  their  path,  and  follow 
ing  their  footsteps.  He  would  have  spoken,  but  the  Indian  at 
that  moment  shoved  aside  a  door  of  bark,  and  entered  a  cavern  in 
the  bosom  of  the  mountain. 

Profiting  by  so  easy  a  method  of  retreat,  Duncan  stepped 
after  him,  and  was  gladly  closing  the  slight  cover  to  the  opening, 
when  he  felt  it  drawn  from  his  hand  by  the  beast,  whose  shaggy 
form  immediately  darkened  the  passage.  They  were  now  in  a 
straight  and  long  gallery,  in  a  chasm  of  the  rocks,  where  retreat 
without  encountering  the  animal  was  impossible.  Making  the 
best  of  the  circumstances,  the  young  man  pressed  forward,  keep 
ing  as  close  as  possible  to  his  conductor.  The  bear  growled  fre 
quently  at  his  heels,  and  once  or  twice  its  enormous  paws  were 
laid  on  his  person,  as  if  disposed  to  prevent  his  further  passage 
into  the  den. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  2G5 

How  long  the  nerves  of  Heyward  would  have  sustained  him 
in  this  extraordinary  situation,  it  might  be  difficult  to  decide ;  for, 
happily,  he  soon  found  relief.  A  glimmer  of  light  had  constantly 
been  in  their  front,  and  they  now  arrived  at  the  place  whence 
it  proceeded. 

A  large  cavity  in  the  rock  had  been  rudely  fitted  to  answer 
the  purposes  of  many  apartments.  The  subdivisions  were  simple 
but  ingenious,  being  composed  of  stone,  sticks,  and  bark,  inter 
mingled.  Openings  above  admitted  the  light  by  day,  and  at 
night  fires  and  torches  supplied  the  place  of  the  sun.  Hither  the 
Hurons  had  brought  most  of  their  valuables,  especially  those 
which  more  particularly  pertained  to  the  nation;  and  hither,  as 
it  now  appeared,  the  sick  woman,  who  was  believed  to  be  the  vic 
tim  of  supernatural  power,  had  been  transported  also,  under  an 
impression  that  her  tormentor  would  find  more  difficulty  in  mak 
ing  his  assaults  through  walls  of  stone  than  through  the  leafy 
coverings  of  the  lodges.  The  apartment  into  which  Duncan  and 
his  guide  first  entered,  had  been  exclusively  devoted  to  her  accom 
modation.  The  latter  approached  her  bedside,  which  was  sur 
rounded  by  females,  in  the  centre  of  whom  Heyward  was  sur 
prised  to  find  his  missing  friend  David. 

A  single  look  was  sufficient  to  apprise  the  pretended  leech 
that  the  invalid  was  far  beyond  his  powers  of  healing.  She  lay 
in  a  sort  of  paralysis,  indifferent  to  the  objects  which  crowded 
before  her  sight,  and  happily  unconscious  of  suffering.  Heyward 
was  far  from  regretting  that  his  mummeries  were  to  be  performed 
on  one  who  was  much  too  ill  to  take  an  interest  in  their  failure  or 
success.  The  slight  qualm  of  conscience  which  had  been  excited 
by  the  intended  deception  was  instantly  appeased,  and  he  began 
to  collect  his  thoughts,  in  order  to  enact  his  part  with  suitable 
spirit,  when  he  found  he  was  about  to  be  anticipated  in  his  skill 
by  an  attempt  to  prove  the  power  of  music. 

Gamut,  who  had  stood  prepared  to  pour  forth  his  spirit  in 
song  when  the  visitors  entered,  after  delaying  a  moment,  drew 
a  strain  from  his  pipe,  and  commenced  a  hymn  that  might  have 
worked  a  miracle,  had  faith  in  its  efficacy  been  of  much  avail.  He 
was  allowed  to  proceed  to  the  close,  the  Indians  respecting  his 
imaginary  infirmity,  and  Duncan  too  glad  of  the  delay  to  hazard 
the  slightest  interruption.  As  the  dying  cadence  of  his  strains 
was  falling  on  the  ears  of  the  latter,  he  started  aside  at  hearing 
them  repeated  behind  him  in  a  voice  half  human,  half  sepulchral. 


266  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

Looking  around,  he  beheld  the  shaggy  monster  seated  on  end  in  a 
shadow  of  the  cavern,  where,  while  his  restless  body  swung  in  the 
uneasy  manner  of  the  animal,  it  repeated,  in  a  sort  of  low  growl, 
sound,  if  not  words,  which  bore  some  slight  resemblance  to  the 
melody  of  the  singer. 

The  effect  of  so  strange  an  echo  on  David  may  better  be 
imagined  than  described.  His  eyes  opened  as  if  he  doubted  their 
truth;  and  his  voice  became  instantly  mute  in  excess  of  wonder. 
A  deep-laid  scheme,  of  communicating  some  important  intelli 
gence  to  Heyward,  was  driven  from  his  recollection  by  an  emo 
tion  which  very  nearly  resembled  fear,  but  which  he  was  fain  to 
believe  was  admiration.  Under  its  influence,  he  exclaimed  aloud 
-"She  expects  you,  and  is  at  hand;"  and  precipitately  left  the 
cavern. 


CHAPTER    XXV 

"Snug. — Have  you  the  lion's  part  written?     Pray  you,  if  it  be,  give  it  me,  for  I  am 
slow  of  study. 

"Quince. — You  may  do  it  extempore,  for  it  is  nothing  but  roaring." 

Afidfummer  Night's  Dream. 

THERE  was  a  strange  blending  of  the  ridiculous  with  that  which 
was  solemn  in  this  scene.  The  beast  still  continued  its  rolling, 
and  apparently  untiring  movements,  though  its  ludicrous  attempt 
to  imitate  the  melody  of  David  ceased  the  instant  the  latter  aban 
doned  the  field.  The  words  of  Gamut  were,  as  has  been  seen,  in 
his  native  tongue;  and  to  Duncan  they  seemed  pregnant  with 
some  hidden  meaning,  though  nothing  present  assisted  him  in  dis 
covering  the  object  of  their  illusion.  A  speedy  end  was,  however, 
put  to  every  conjecture  on  the  subject,  by  the  manner  of  the  chief, 
who  advanced  to  the  bedside  of  the  invalid,  and  beckoned  away 
the  whole  group  of  female  attendants  that  had  clustered  there  to 
witness  the  skill  of  the  stranger.  He  was  implicitly,  though  re 
luctantly,  obeyed;  and  when  the  low  echo  which  rang  along  the 
hollow  natural  gallery  from  the  distant  closing  door  had  ceased, 
pointing  towards  his  .insensible  daughter,  he  said,— 

"Now  let  my  brother  show  his  power." 

Thus  unequivocally  called  on  to  exercise  the  functions  of  his 
assumed  character,  Heyward  was  apprehensive  that  the  smallest 
delay  might  prove  dangerous.  Endeavoring  then  to  collect  his 
ideas,  he  prepared  to  perform  that  species  of  incantation,  and 
those  uncouth  rites,  under  which  the  Indian  conjurers  are  accus 
tomed  to  conceal  their  ignorance  and  impotency.  It  is  more  than 
probable  that,  in  the  disordered  state  of  his  thoughts,  he  would 
soon  have  fallen  into  some  suspicious,  if  not  fatal  error,  had  not 
his  incipient  attempts  been  interrupted  by  a  fierce  growl  from  the 
quadruped.  Three  several  times  did  he  renew  his  efforts  to  pro 
ceed,  and  as  often  was  he  met  by  the  same  unaccountable  opposi 
tion,  each  interruption  seeming  more  savage  and  threatening  than 
the  preceding. 

"The  cunning  ones  are  jealous,"  said  the  Huron;  "I  go. 
Brother,  the  woman  is  the  wife  of  one  of  my  bravest  young  men; 

267 


268  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

deal  justly  by  her.     Peace!"  he  added,  beckoning  to  the  discon 
tented  beast  to  be  quiet;  "I  go." 

The  chief  was  as  good  as  his  word,  and  Duncan  now  found 
himself  alone  in  that  wild  and  desolate  abode,  with  the  helpless  in 
valid,  and  the  fierce  arid  dangerous  brute.  The  latter  listened  to 
the  movements  of  the  Indian  with  that  air  of  sagacity  that  a  bear 
is  known  to  possess,  until  another  echo  announced  that  he  had  also 
left  the  cavern,  when  it  turned  and  came  waddling  up  to  Duncan, 
before  whom  it  seated  itself,  in  its  natural  attitude,  erect  like  a 
man.  The  youth  looked  anxiously  about  him  for  some  weapon, 
with  which  he  might  make  a  resistance  against  the  attack  he  now 
seriously  expected. 

It  seemed,  however,  as  if  the  humor  of  the  animal  had  sud 
denly  changed.  Instead  of  continuing  its  discontented  growls, 
or  manifesting  any  further  signs  of  anger,  the  whole  of  its  shaggy 
body  shook  violently,  as  if  agitated  by  some  strange  internal  con 
vulsion.  The  huge  and  unwieldy  talons  pawed  stupidly  about 
the  grinning  muzzle,  and  while  Heyward  kept  his  eyes  riveted 
on  its  movements  with  jealous  watchfulness,  the  grim  head  fell  on 
one  side,  and  in  its  place  appeared  the  honest,  sturdy  countenance 
of  the  scout,  who  was  indulging  from  the  bottom  of  his  soul,  in  his 
own  peculiar  expression  of  merriment. 

"Hist!"  said  the  wary  woodsman,  interrupting  Heyward's 
exclamation  of  surprise;  "the  varlets  are  about  the  place,  and  any 
sounds  that  are  not  natural  to  witchcraft  would  bring  them  back 
upon  us  in  a  body." 

"Tell  me  the  meaning  of  this  masquerade;  and  why  you  have 
attempted  so  desperate  an  adventure." 

"Ah!  reason  and  calculation  are  often  outdone  by  accident," 
returned  the  scout.  "But  as  a  story  should  always  commence  at 
the  beginning,  I  will  tell  you  the  whole  in  order.  After  we  part 
ed  I. placed  the  commandant  and  the  Sagamore  in  an  old  .beaver 
lodge,  where  they  are  safer  from  the  Hurons  than  they  would  be 
in  the  garrison  of  Edward,  for  your  high  northwest  Indians,  not 
having  as  yet  got  the  traders  among  them,  continue  to  venerate 
the  beaver.  After  which  Uncas  and  I  pushed  for  the  other  en 
campment,  as  was  agreed;  have  you  seen  the  lad?" 

"To  my  great  grief!  he  is  captive,  and  condemned  to  die  at  the 
rising  of  the  sun." 

"I  had  misgivings  that  such  would  be  his  fate,"  resumed  the 
scout,  in  a  less  confident  and  joyous  tone.  But  soon  regaining 


Copyright  by  Charles  Xcribner's  Sons 


THE  MASQUERADER 

The  grim  head  fell  on  one  side,  and  in  its  place  appeared 
the.  honest,  sturdy  countenance  of  the  scout 


THE  MASQUERADER 

The  grim  head  fell  on  one  side,  and  in  Us  place  appeared 
the  honest,  sturdy  countenance  of  the  scout 


THE    LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  269 

his  naturally  firm  voice,  he  continued:  "His  bad  fortune  is  the 
true  reason  of  my  being  here,  for  it  would  never  do  to  abandon 
such  a  boy  to  the  Hurons.  A  rare  time  the  knaves  would  have 
of  it,  could  they  tie  The  Bounding  Elk  and  The  Long  Carabine, 
as  they  call  me,  to  the  same  stake !  Though  why  they  have  given 
me  such  a  name  I  never  knew,  there  being  as  little  likeness  be 
tween  the  gifts  of  'Killdeer,'  and  the  performance  of  one  of  your 
real  Canada  carabines,  as  there  is  between  the  natur  of  a  pipe- 
stone  and  a  flint!" 

"Keep  to  your  tale,"  said  the  impatient  Heyward;  "we  know 
not  at  what  moment  the  Hurons  may  return." 

"No  fear  of  them.  A  conjurer  must  have  his  time,  like  a 
straggling  priest  in  the  settlements.  We  are  as  safe  from  inter 
ruption  as  a  missionary  would  be  at  the  beginning  of  a  two  hours' 
discourse.  Well,  Uncas  and  I  fell  in  with  a  return  party  of  the 
varlets ;  the  lad  was  much  too  forward  for  a  scout ;  nay,  for  that 
matter,  being  of  hot  blood,  he  was  not  so  much  to  blame;  and, 
after  all,  one  of  the  Hur"ons  proved  a  coward,  and  in  fleeing  led 
him  into  an  ambushment." 

"And  dearly  has  he  paid  for  the  weakness!" 

The  scout  significantly  passed  his  hand  across  his  own  throat, 
and  nodded,  as  if  he  said,  "I  comprehend  your  meaning."  After 
which  he  continued,  in  a  more  audible  though  scarcely  more  in 
telligible  language,— 

"After  the  loss  of  the  boy  I  turned  upon  the  Hurons,  as  you 
may  judge.  There  have  been  scrimmages  atween  one  or  two  of 
their  outlyers  and  myself ;  but  that  is  neither  here  nor  there.  So, 
after  I  had  shot  the  imps,  I  got  in  pretty  nigh  to  the  lodges  with 
out  further  commotion.  Then  what  should  luck  do  in  my  favor, 
but  lead  me  to  the  very  spot  where  one  of  the  most  famous  con 
jurers  of  the  tribe  was  dressing  himself,  as  I  well  knew,  for  some 
great  battle  with  Satan— though  why  should  I  call  that  luck, 
which  it  now  seems  was  an  especial  ordering  of  Providence!  So 
a  judgmatical  rap  over  the  head  stiffened  the  lying  impostor  for  a 
time,  and  leaving  him  a  bit  of  walnut  for  his  supper,  to  prevent 
an  uproar,  and  stringing  him  up  atween  two  sapplings,  I  made 
free  with  his  finery,  and  took  the  part  of  the  bear  on  myself,  in 
order  that  the  operations  might  proceed." 

"And  admirably  did  you  enact  the  character;  the  animal  itself 
might  have  been  shamed  by  the  representation." 

"Lord,  major,"  returned  the  flattered  woodsman,  "I  should 


270  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

be  but  a  poor  scholar  for  one  who  has  studied  so  long  in  the  wil 
derness,  did  I  not  know  how  to  set  forth  the  movements  and 
natur'  of  such  a  beast.  Had  it  been  now  a  catamount,  or  even 
a  full-sized  panther,  I  would  have  embellished  a  performance  for 
you  worth  regarding.  But  it  is  no  such  marvellous  feat  to  ex 
hibit  the  feats  of  so  dull  a  beast;  though,  for  that  matter  too,  a 
bear  may  be  overacted.  Yes,  yes;  it  is  not  every  imitator  that 
knows  natur'  may  be  outdone  easier  than  she  is  equalled.  But  all 
our  work  is  yet  before  us:  where  is  the  gentle  one?" 

"Heaven  knows;  I  have  examined  every  lodge  in  the  village, 
without  discovering  the  slightest  trace  of  her  presence  in  the 
tribe." 

"You  heard  what  the  singer  said,  as  he  left  us, — 'She  is  at 
hand,  and  expects  you'?" 

"I  have  been  compelled  to  believe  he  alluded  to  this  unhappy 
woman." 

"The  simpleton  was  frightened,  and  blundered  through  his 
message;  but  he  had  a  deeper  meaning.  Here  are  walls  enough 
to  separate  the  whole  settlement.  A  bear  ought  to  climb ;  there 
fore  will  I  take  a  look  above  them.  There  may  be  honey-pots  hid 
in  these  rocks,  and  I  am  a  beast  you  know,  that  has  a  hankering 
for  the  sweets." 

The  scout  looked  behind  him,  laughing  at  his  own  conceit, 
while  he  clambered  up  the  partition,  imitating,  as  he  went,  the 
clumsy  motions  of  the  beast  he  represented;  but  the  instant  the 
summit  was  gained  he  made  a  gesture  for  silence,  and  slid  down 
with  the  utmost  precipitation. 

"She  is  here,"  he  whispered,  "and  by  that  door  you  will  find 
her.  I  would  have  spoken  a  word  of  comfort  to  the  afflicted  soul; 
but  the  sight  of  such  a  monster  might  upset  her  reason.  Though 
for  that  matter,  major,  you  are  none  of  the  most  inviting  yourself 
in  your  paint." 

Duncan,  who  had  already  sprung  eagerly  forward,  drew  in 
stantly  back  on  hearing  these  discouraging  words. 

"Am  I,  then,  so  very  revolting?"  he  demanded,  with  an  air  of 
chagrin. 

"You  might  not  startle  a  wolf,  or  turn  the  Royal  Americans 
from  a  charge ;  but  I  have  seen  the  time  when  you  had  a  better- 
favored  look;  your  streaked  countenances  are  not  ill-judged  of 
by  the  squaws,  but  young  women  of  white  blood  give  the  prefer 
ence  to  their  own  color,  See,"  he  added,  pointing  to  a  place 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  271 

where  the  water  trickled  from  a  rock,  forming  a  little  crystal 
spring  before  it  found  an  issue  through  the  adjacent  crevices; 
"you  may  easily  get  rid  of  the  Sagamore's  daub,  and  when  you 
come  back  I  will  try  my  hand  at  a  new  embellishment.  It's  as 
common  for  a  conjurer  to  alter  his  paint  as  for  a  buck  in  the  set 
tlements  to  change  his  finery." 

The  deliberate  woodsman  had  little  occasion  to  hunt  for  argu 
ments  to  enforce  his  advice.  He  was  yet  speaking  when  Duncan 
availed  himself  of  the  water.  In  a  moment  every  frightful  or 
offensive  mark  was  obliterated,  and  the  youth  appeared  again  in 
the  lineaments  with  which  he  had  been  gifted  by  nature.  Thus 
prepared  for  an  interview  with  his  mistress,  he  took  a  hasty  leave 
of  his  companion,  and  disappeared  through  the  indicated  passage. 
The  scout  witnessed  his  departure  with  complacency,  nodding  his 
head  after  him,  and  muttering  his  good  wishes;  after  which  he 
very  coolly  set  about  an  examination  of  the  state  of  the  larder, 
among  the  Hurons — the  cavern,  among  other  purposes,  being 
used  as  a  receptacle  for  the  fruits  of  their  hunts. 

Duncan  had  no  other  guide  than  a  distant  glimmering  light, 
which  served,  however,  the  office  of  a  polar  star  to  the  lover.  By 
its  aid  he  was  enabled  to  enter  the  haven  of  his  hopes,  which  was 
merely  another  apartment  of  the  cavern,  that  had  been  solely  ap 
propriated  to  the  safe-keeping  of  so  important  a  prisoner  as  a 
daughter  of  the  commandant  of  William  Henry.  It  was  pro 
fusely  strewed  with  the  plunder  of  that  unlucky  fortress.  In  the 
midst  of  this  confusion  he  found  her  he  sought,  pale,  anxious,  and 
terrified,  but  lovely.  David  had  prepared  her  for  such  a  visit. 

"Duncan!"  she  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  that  seemed  to  tremble 
at  the  sounds  created  by  itself. 

"Alice"  he  answered,  leaping  carelessly  among  trunks,  boxes, 
arms,  and  furniture,  until  he  stood  at  her  side. 

"I  knew  that  you  would  never  desert  me,"  she  said,  looking 
up  with  a  momentary  glow  on  her  otherwise  dejected  counte 
nance.  "But  you  are  alone!  grateful  as  it  is  to  be  thus  remem 
bered,  I  could  wish  to  think  you  are  not  entirely  alone." 

Duncan,  observing  that  she  tremhled  in  a  manner  which  be 
trayed  her  inability  to  stand,  gently  induced  her  to  be  seated, 
while  he  recounted  those  leading  incidents  which  it  has  been  our 
task  to  record.  Alice  listened  with  breathless  interest;  and 
though  the  young  man  touched  lightly  on  the  sorrows  of  the 
stricken  father,  taking  care,  however,  not  to  wound  the  self-love 


272  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

of  his  auditor,  the  tears  ran  as  freely  down  the  cheeks  of  the 
daughter  as  though  she  had  never  wept  before.  The  soothing 
tenderness  of  Duncan,  however,  soon  quieted  the  first  burst  of 
her  emotions,  and  she  then  heard  him  to  the  close  with  undivided 
attention,  if  not  with  composure. 

"And  now,  Alice,"  he  added,  "you  will  see  how  much  is  still 
expected  of  you.  By  the  assistance  of  our  experienced  and  in 
valuable  friend,  the  scout,  we  may  find  our  way  from  this  savage 
people,  but  you  will  have  to  exert  your  utmost  fortitude.  Re 
member  that  you  fly  to  the  arms  of  your  venerable  parent,  and 
how  much  his  happiness,  as  well  as  your  own,  depends  on  those 
exertions." 

"Can  I  do  otherwise  for  a  father  who  has  done  so  much  for 
me?" 

"And  for  me  too,"  continued  the  youth,  gently  pressing  the 
hand  he  held  in  both  his  own. 

The  look  of  innocence  and  surprise  which  he  received  in  return 
convinced  Duncan  of  the  necessity  of  being  more  explicit. 

"This  is  neither  the  place  nor  the  occasion  to  detain  you  with 
selfish  wishes,"  he  added;  "but  what  heart  loaded  like  mine  would 
not  wish  to  cast  its  burden?  They  say  misery  is  the  closest  of 
all  ties ;  our  common  suffering  in  your  behalf  left  but  little  to  be 
explained  between  your  father  and  myself." 

"And  dearest  Cora,  Duncan;  surely  Cora  was  not  forgotten?" 

"Not  forgotten!  no;  regretted,  as  woman  was  seldom  mourned 
before.  Your  venerable  father  knew  no  difference  between  his 
children ;  but  I — Alice,  you  will  not  be  offended  when  I  say,  that 
to  me  her  worth  was  in  a  degree  obscured— 

"Then  you  knew  not  the  merit  of  my  sister,"  said  Alice,  with 
drawing  her  hand;  "of  you  she  ever  speaks  as  of  one  who  is  her 
nearest  friend." 

"I  would  gladly  believe  her  such,"  returned  Duncan,  hastily; 
"I  could  wish  her  to  be  even  more;  but  with  you,  Alice,  I  have 
the  permission  of  your  father  to  aspire  to  a  still  nearer  and 
dearer  tie." 

Alice  trembled  violently,  and  there  was  an  instant  during 
which  she  bent  her  face  aside,  yielding  to  the  emotions  common  to 
her  sex;  but  they  quickly  passed  away,  leaving  her  mistress  of  her 
deportment,  if  not  of  her  affections. 

"Heyward,"  she  said,  looking  him  full  in  the  face  with  a  touch 
ing  expression  of  innocence  and  dependency,  "give  me  the  sacred 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  273 

presence  and  the  holy  sanction  of  that  parent  before  you  urge  me 
further." 

"Though  more  I  should  not,  less  I  could  not  say,"  the  youth 
was  about  to  answer,  when  he  was  interrupted  by  a  light  tap  on 
his  shoulder.  Starting  to  his  feet,  he  turned,  and,  confronting 
the  intruder,  his  looks  fell  on  the  dark  form  and  malignant  visage 
of  Magua.  The  deep  guttural  laugh  of  the  savage  sounded,  at 
such  a  moment,  to  Duncan  like  the  hellish  taunt  of  a  demon. 
Had  he  pursued  the  sudden  and  fierce  impulse  of  the  instant,  he 
would  have  cast  himself  on  the  Huron,  and  committed  their  for 
tunes  to  the  issue  of  a  deadly  struggle.  But,  without  arms  of 
any  description,  ignorant  of  what  succor  his  subtle  enemy  could 
command,  and  charged  with  the  safety  of  one  who  was  just  then 
dearer  than  ever  to  his  heart,  he  no  sooner  entertained  than  he 
abandoned  the  desperate  intention. 

"What  is  your  purpose?"  said  Alice,  meekly  folding  her  arms 
on  her  bosom,  and  struggling  to  conceal  an  agony  of  apprehen 
sion  in  behalf  of  Hey  ward,  in  the  usual  cold  and  distant  manner 
with  which  she  received  the  visits  of  her  captor. 

The  exulting  Indian  had  resumed  his  austere  countenance, 
though  he  drew  warily  back  before  the  menacing  glance  of  the 
young  man's  fiery  eye.  He  regarded  both  his  captives  for  a 
moment  with  a  steady  look,  and  then  stepping  aside,  he  dropped 
a  log  of  wood  across  a  door  different  from  that  by  which  Duncan 
had  entered.  The  latter  now  comprehended  the  manner  of  his 
surprise,  and  believing  himself  irretrievably  lost,  he  drew  Alice 
to  his  bosom,  and  stood  prepared  to  meet  a  fate  which  he  hardly 
regretted,  since  it  was  to  be  suffered  in  such  company.  But 
Magua  meditated  no  immediate  violence.  His  first  measures 
were  very  evidently  taken  to  secure  his  new  captive;  nor  did  he 
even  bestow  a  second  glance  at  the  motionless  forms  in  the  centre 
of  the  cavern,  until  he  had  completely  cut  off  every  hope  of  retreat 
through  the  private  outlet  he  had  himself  used.  He  was  watched 
in  all  his  movements  by  Heyward,  who,  however,  remained  firm, 
still  folding  the  fragile  form  of  Alice  to  his  heart,  at  once  too 
proud  and  too  hopeless  to  ask  favor  of  an  enemy  so  often  foiled. 
When  Magua  had  effected  his  object  he  approached  his  prisoners, 
and  said  in  English,— 

"The  pale-faces  trap  the  cunning  beavers;  but  the  redskins 
know  how  to  take  the  Yengeese." 

"Huron,  do  your  worst!"  exclaimed  the  excited  Heyward, 


274,  THE    LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS 

forgetful  that  a  double  stake  was  involved  in  his  life;  "you  and 
your  vengeance  are  alike  despised." 

"Will  the  white  man  speak  these  words  at  the  stake?"  asked 
Magua;  manifesting,  at  the  same  time,  how  little  faith  he  had  in 
the  other's  resolution  by  the  sneer  that  accompanied  his  words. 

"Here;  singly  to  your  face,  or  in  the  presence  of  your  nation." 

"Le  Renard  Subtil  is  a  great  chief!"  returned  the  Indian; 
"he  will  go  and  bring  his  young  men  to  see  how  bravely  a  pale 
face  can  laugh  at  the  tortures." 

He  turned  away  while  speaking,  and  was  about  to  leave  the 
place  through  the  avenue  by  which  Duncan  had  approached,  when 
a  growl  caught  his  ear,  and  caused  him  to  hesitate.  The  figure 
of  the  bear  appeared  in  the  door,  where  it  sat,  rolling  from  side 
to  side  in  its  customary  restlessness.  Magua,  like  the  father  of 
the  sick  woman,  eyed  it  keenly  for  a  moment,  as  if  to  ascertain 
its  character.  He  was  far  above  the  more  vulgar  superstitions 
of  his  tribe,  and  so  soon  as  he  recognized  the  well-known  attire 
of  the  conjurer,  he  prepared  to  pass  it  in  cool  contempt.  But  a 
louder  and  more  threatening  growl  caused  him  again  to  pause. 
Then  he  seemed  as  if  suddenly  resolved  to  trifle  no  longer,  and 
moved  resolutely  forward.  The  mimic  animal,  which  had  ad 
vanced  a  little,  retired  slowly  in  his  front,  until  it  arrived  again 
at  the  pass,  when  rearing  on  its  hinder  legs  it  beat  the  air  with  its 
paws,  in  the  manner  practised  by  its  brutal  prototype. 

"Fool!"  exclaimed  the  chief,  in  Huron,  "go  play  with  the 
children  and  squaws;  leave  men  to  their  wisdom." 

He  once  more  endeavored  to  pass  the  supposed  empiric,  scorn 
ing  even  the  parade  of  threatening  to  use  the  knife,  or  tomahawk, 
that  was  pendent  from  his  belt.  Suddenly  the  beast  extended  its 
arms,  or  rather  legs,  and  inclosed  him  in  a  grasp  that  might  have 
vied  with  the  far-famed  power  of  the  "bear's  hug"  itself.  Hey- 
ward  had  watched  the  whole  procedure,  on  the  part  of  Hawkeye, 
with  breathless  interest.  At  first  he  relinquished  his  hold  of 
Alice;  then  he  caught  up  a  thong  of  buckskin,  which  had  been 
used  around  some  bundle,  and  when  he  beheld  his  enemy  with 
his  two  arms  pinned  to  his  side  by  the  iron  muscles  of  the  scout, 
he  rushed  upon  him,  and  effectually  secured  them  there.  Arms, 
legs,  and  feet  were  encircled  in  twenty  folds  of  the  thong,  in  less 
time  than  we  have  taken  to  record  the  circumstance.  When  the 
formidable  Huron  was  completely  pinioned,  the  scout  released 
his  hold,  and  Duncan  laid  his  enemy  on  his  back,  utterly  helpless. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  275 

Throughout  the  whole  of  this  sudden  and  extraordinary  op 
eration,  Magua,  though  he  had  struggled  violently,  until  assured 
he  was  in  the  hands  of  one  whose  nerves  were  far  better  strung 
than  his  own,  had  not  uttered  the  slightest  exclamation.  But 
when  Hawkeye,  by  way  of  making  a  summary  explanation  of 
his  conduct,  removed  the  shaggy  jaws  of  the  beast,  and  exposed 
his  own  rugged  and  earnest  countenance  to  the  gaze  of  the  Huron, 
the  philosophy  of  the  latter  was  so  far  mastered  as  to  permit  him 
to  utter  the  never-failing,— 

"Hugh!" 

"Ay!  you've  found  your  tongue,"  said  his  undisturbed  con 
queror;  "now,  in  order  that  you  shall  not  use  it  to  our  ruin,  I  must 
make  free  to  stop  your  mouth." 

As  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost,  the  scout  immediately  set 
about  effecting  so  necessary  a  precaution;  and  when  he  had 
gagged  the  Indian,  his  enemy  might  safely  have  been  considered 
as  hors  de  combat. 

"By  what  place  did  the  imp  enter?"  asked  the  industrious 
scout,  when  his  work  was  ended.  "Not  a  soul  has  passed  my  way 
since  you  left  me." 

Duncan  pointed  out  the  door  by  which  Magua  had  come,  and 
which  now  presented  too  many  obstacles  to  a  quick  retreat. 

"Bring  on  the  gentle  one,  then,"  continued  his  friend;  "we 
must  make  a  push  for  the  woods  by  the  other  outlet." 

"  'Tis  impossible!"  said  Duncan;  "fear  has  overcome  her,  and 
she  is  helpless.  Alice!  my  sweet,  my  own  Alice,  arouse  yourself; 
now  is  the  moment  to  fly.  'Tis  in  vain!  she  hears,  but  is  unable 
to  follow.  Go,  noble  and  worthy  friend ;  save  yourself,  and  leave 
me  to  my  fate!" 

"Every  trail  has  its  end,  and  every  calamity  brings  its  lesson!" 
returned  the  scout.  "There,  wrap  her  in  them  Indian  cloths. 
Conceal  all  of  her  little  form.  Nay,  that  foot  has  no  fellow  in  the 
wilderness;  it  will  betray  her.  All,  every  part.  Now  take  her 
in  your  arms,  and  follow.  Leave  the  rest  to  me." 

Duncan,  as  may  be  gathered  from  the  words  of  his  companion, 
was  eagerly  obeying;  and  as  the  other  finished  speaking,  he  took 
the  light  person  of  Alice  in  his  arms,  and  followed  on  the  foot 
steps  of  the  scout.  They  found  the  sick  woman  as  they  had  left 
her,  still  alone,  and  passed  swiftly  on,  by  the  natural  gallery,  to 
the  place  of  entrance.  As  they  approached  the  little  door  of  bark, 
a  murmur  of  voices  without  announced  that  the  friends  and  rela- 


276  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

lives  of  the  invalid  were  gathered  about  the  place,  patiently  await 
ing  a  summons  to  re-enter. 

"If  I  open  my  lips  to  speak,"  Hawkey e  whispered,  "my  Eng 
lish,  which  is  the  genuine  tongue  of  a  white-skin,  will  tell  the 
varlets  that  an  enemy  is  among  them.  You  must  give  'em  your 
jargon,  major;  and  say  that  we  have  shut  the  evil  spirit  in  the 
cave,  and  are  taking  the  woman  to  the  woods  in  order  to  find 
strengthening  roots.  Practise  all  your  cunning,  for  it  is  a  law 
ful  undertaking." 

The  door  opened  a  little,  as  if  one  without  was  listening  to 
the  proceedings  within,  and  compelled  the  scout  to  cease  his  direc 
tions.  A  fierce  growl  repelled  the  eavesdropper,  and  then  the 
scout  boldly  threw  open  the  covering  of  bark,  and  left  the  place, 
enacting  the  character  of  the  bear  as  he  proceeded.  Duncan  kept 
close  at  his  heels,  and  so  found  himself  in  the  centre  of  a  cluster 
of  twenty  anxious  relatives  and  friends. 

The  crowd  fell  back  a  little,  and  permitted  the  father,  and 
one  who  appeared  to  be  the  husband  of  the  woman,  to  approach. 

"Has  my  brother  driven  away  the  evil  spirit?"  demanded  the 
former.  "What  has  he  in  his  arms?" 

"Thy  child,"  returned  Duncan,  gravely;  "the  disease  has  gone 
out  of  her ;  it  is  shut  up  in  the  rocks.  I  take  the  woman  to  a  dis 
tance,  where  I  will  strengthen  her  against  any  further  attacks. 
She  shall  be  in  the  wigwam  of  the  young  man  when  the  sun 
comes  again." 

When  the  father  had  translated  the  meaning  of  the  stranger's 
words  into  the  Huron  language,  a  suppressed  murmur  announced 
the  satisfaction  with  which  the  intelligence  was  received.  The 
chief  himself  waved  his  hand  for  Duncan  to  proceed,  saying  aloud, 
in  a  firm  voice,  and  with  a  lofty  manner, — 

"Go;  I  am  a  man,  and  I  will  enter  the  rock  and  fight  the 
wicked  one." 

Heyward  had  gladly  obeyed,  and  was  already  past  the  little 
group,  when  these  startling  words  arrested  him. 

"Is  my  brother  mad?"  he  exclaimed;  "is  he  cruel!  He  will 
meet  the  disease,  and  it  will  enter  him;  or  he  will  drive  out  the 
disease,  and  it  will  chase  his  daughter  into  the  woods.  No;  let 
my  children  wait  without,  and  if  the  spirit  appears  beat  him  down 
with  clubs.  He  is  cunning,  and  will  bury  himself  in  the  moun 
tain,  when  he  sees  how  many  are  ready  to  fight  him." 

This  singular  warning  had  the  desired  effect.    Instead  of  en- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  277 

taring  the  cavern,  the  father  and  husband  drew  their  tomahawks, 
and  posted  themselves  in  readiness  to  deal  their  vengeance  on  the 
imaginary  tormentor  of  their  sick  relative,  while  the  women  and 
children  broke  branches  from  the  bushes,  or  seized  fragments  of 
the  rock,  with  a  similar  intention.  At  this  favorable  moment  the 
counterfeit  conjurers  disappeared. 

Hawkeye,  at  the  same  time  that  he  had  presumed  so  far  on 
the  nature  of  the  Indian  superstitions,  was  not  ignorant  that  they 
were  rather  tolerated  than  relied  on  by  the  wisest  of  the  chiefs. 
He  well  knew  the  value  of  time  in  the  present  emergency.  What 
ever  might  be  the  extent  of  the  self-delusion  of  his  enemies,  and 
however  it  had  tended  to  assist  his  schemes,  the  slightest  cause 
of  suspicion,  acting  on  the  subtle  nature  of  an  Indian,  would  be 
likely  to  prove  fatal.  Taking  the  path,  therefore,  that  was  most 
likely  to  avoid  observation,  he  rather  skirted  than  entered  the 
village.  The  warriors  were  still  to  be  seen  in  the  distance,  by  the 
fading  light  of  the  fires,  stalking  from  lodge  to  lodge.  But  the 
children  had  abandoned  their  sports  for  their  beds  of  skins,  and 
the  quiet  of  night  was  already  beginning  to  prevail  over  the  tur 
bulence  and  excitement  of  so  busy  and  important  an  evening. 

Alice  revived  under  the  renovating  influence  of  the  open  air, 
and  as  her  physical  rather  than  her  mental  powers  had  been  the 
subject  of  weakness,  she  stood  in  no  need  of  any  explanation  of 
that  which  had  occurred. 

"Now  let  me  make  an  effort  to  walk,"  she  said,  when  they  had 
entered  the  forest,  blushing,  though  unseen,  that  she  had  not  been 
sooner  able  to  quit  the  arms  of  Duncan;  "I  am  indeed  restored." 

"Nay,  Alice,  you  are  yet  too  weak." 

The  maiden  struggled  gently  to  release  herself,  and  Hey- 
ward  was  compelled  to  part  with  his  precious  burden.  The  rep 
resentative  of  the  bear  had  certainly  been  an  entire  stranger  to 
the  delicious  emotions  of  the  lover  while  his  arms  encircled  his 
mistress;  and  he  was,  perhaps,  a  stranger  also  to  the  nature  of 
that  feeling  of  ingenuous  shame  that  oppressed  the  trembling 
Alice.  But  when  he  found  himself  at  a  suitable  distance  from 
the  lodges  he  made  a  halt,  and  spoke  on  a  subject  of  which  he 
was  thoroughly  the  master. 

"This  path  will  lead  you  to  the  brook,"  he  said;  "follow  its 
northern  bank  until  you  come  to  a  fall;  and  mount  the  hill  on 
your  right,  and  you  will  see  the  fires  of  the  other  people.  There 
you  must  go  and  demand  protection;  if  they  are  true  Delawares, 


278  THE    LAST    OF    THE   MOHICANS 

you  will  be  safe.  A  distant  flight  with  that  gentle  one,  just  now, 
is  impossible.  The  Hurons  would  follow  up  our  trail,  and  master 
our  scalps,  before  we  had  got  a  dozen  miles.  Go,  and  Providence 
be  with  you." 

"And  you!"  demanded  Heyward,  in  surprise;  "surely  we 
part  not  here?" 

"The  Hurons  hold  the  pride  of  the  Delawares;  the  last  of  the 
high  blood  of  the  Mohicans  is  in  their  power,"  returned  the  scout; 
"I  go  to  see  what  can  be  done  in  his  favor.  Had  they  mastered 
your  scalp,  major,  a  knave  should  have  fallen  for  every  hair  it 
held,  as  I  promised ;  but  if  the  young  Sagamore  is  to  be  led  to  the 
stake,  the  Indians  shall  see  also  how  a  man  without  a  cross 
can  die." 

Not  in  the  least  offended  with  the  decided  preference  that  the 
sturdy  woodsman  gave  to  one  who  might,  in  some  degree,  be 
called  the  child  of  his  adoption,  Duncan  still  continued  to  urge 
such  reasons  against  so  desperate  an  effort  as  presented  them 
selves.  He  was  aided  by  Alice,  who  mingled  her  entreaties  with 
those  of  Heyward  that  he  would  abandon  a  resolution  that  prom 
ised  so  much  danger,  with  so  little  hope  of  success.  Their  elo 
quence  and  ingenuity  were  expended  in  vain.  The  scout  heard 
them  attentively,  but  impatiently,  and  finally  closed  the  discus 
sion,  by  answering,  in  a  tone  that  instantly  silenced  Alice,  while 
it  told  Heyward  how  fruitless  any  further  remonstrances 
would  be,— 

"I  have  heard,"  he  said,  "that  there  is  a  feeling  in  youth  which 
binds  man  to  woman  closer  than  the  father  is  tied  to  the  son.  It 
may  be  so.  I  have  seldom  been  where  women  of  my  color  dwell; 
but  such  may  be  the  gifts  of  nature  in  the  settlements.  You  have 
risked  life,  and  all  that  is  dear  to  you,  to  bring  off  this  gentle  one, 
and  I  suppose  that  some  such  disposition  is  at  the  bottom  of  it  all. 
As  for  me,  I  taught  the  lad  the  real  character  of  a  rifle ;  and  well 
has  he  paid  me  for  it.  I  have  fou't  at  his  side  in  many  a  bloody 
scrimmage;  and  so  long  as  I  could  hear  the  crack  of  his  piece  in 
one  ear,  and  that  of  the  Sagamore  in  the  other,  I  knew  no  enemy 
was  on  my  back.  Winters  and  summers,  nights  and  days,  have 
we  roved  the  wilderness  in  company,  eating  of  the  same  dish,  one 
sleeping  while  the  other  watched;  and  afore  it  shall  be  said  that 
Uncas  was  taken  to  the  torment,  and  I  at  hand—  There  is  but 
a  single  Ruler  of  us  all,  whatever  may  be  the  color  of  the  skin; 
and  Him  I  call  to  witness,  that  before  the  Mohican  boy  shall 


rifiU  by  Charles  Scribiier's  Sons 


THE  LOVERS 


HcuwarJ  anj  Alice  look  I/Kir  way  together  towards  the 
distant  village  of  the  Delaware! 


75-7? 


THE    l.OVF.RS 


HtuirarJ  and  Alice  took  their  wau  together  fou'Wj  the 
Jiitant  cillagt  oj  the  Delau'arn 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  279 

perish  for  the  want  of  a  friend,  good  faith  shall  depart  the  'arth, 
and  'Killdeer'  become  as  harmless  as  the  tooting  we'pon  of  the 


singer !' 


Duncan  released  his  hold  on  the  arm  of  the  scout,  who  turned, 
and  steadily  retraced  his  steps  towards  the  lodges.  After  paus 
ing  a  moment  to  gaze  at  his  retiring  form,  the  successful  and  yet 
sorrowful  Heyward,  and  Alice,  took  their  way  together  towards 
the  distant  village  of  the  Delawares. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

"Bot. — Let  me  play  the  lion  too." 

Midtitmmer  Night's  Dream. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  high  resolution  of  Hawkeye,  he  fully 
comprehended  all  the  difficulties  and  dangers  he  was  about  to 
incur.  In  his  return  to  the  camp,  his  acute  and  practised  intel 
lects  were  intently  engaged  in  devising  means  to  counteract  a 
watchfulness  and  suspicion  on  the  part  of  his  enemies,  that  he 
knew  were,  in  no  degree,  inferior  to  his  own.  Nothing  hut  the 
color  of  his  skin  had  saved  the  lives  of  Magua  and  the  conjurer, 
who  would  have  been  the  first  victims  sacrificed  to  his  own  secu 
rity,  had  not  the  scout  believed  such  an  act,  however  congenial  it 
riiight  be  to  the  nature  of  an  Indian,  utterly  unworthy  of  one  who 
boasted  a  descent  from  men  that  knew  no  cross  of  blood.  Ac 
cordingly,  he  trusted  to  the  withes  and  ligaments  with  which  he 
had  bound  his  captives,  and  pursued  his  way  directly  towards  the 
centre  of  the  lodges. 

As  he  approached  the  buildings,  his  steps  became  more  delib 
erate,  and  his  vigilant  eye  suffered  no  sign,  whether  friendly  or 
hostile,  to  escape  him.  A  neglected  hut  was  a  little  in  advance 
of  the  others,  and  appeared  as  if  it  had  been  deserted  when  half 
completed — most  probably  on  account  of  failing  in  some  of  the 
more  important  requisites;  such  as  food  or  water.  A  faint  light 
glimmered  through  its  cracks,  however,  and  announced  that,  not 
withstanding  its  imperfect  structure,  it  was  not  without  a  tenant. 
Thither,  then,  the  scout  proceeded,  like  a  prudent  general,  who 
was  about  to  feel  the  advanced  positions  of  his  enemy,  before  he 
hazarded  the  main  attack. 

Throwing  himself  into  a  suitable  posture  for  the  beast  he  rep 
resented,  Hawkeye  crawled  to  a  little  opening,  where  he  might 
command  a  view  of  the  interior.  It  proved  to  be  the  abiding- 
place  of  David  Gamut.  Hither  the  faithful  singing-master  had 
now  brought  himself,  together  with  all  his.  sorrows,  his  apprehen- 

280 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  281 

sions,  and  his  meek  dependence  on  the  protection  of  Providence. 
At  the  precise  moment  when  his  ungainly  person  came  under 
the  observation  of  the  scout,  in  the  manner  just  mentioned,  the 
woodsman  himself,  though  in  his  assumed  character,  was  the  sub 
ject  of  the  solitary  being's  profoundest  reflections. 

However  implicit  the  faith  of  David  was  in  the  performance 
of  ancient  miracles,  he  eschewed  the  belief  of  any  direct  super 
natural  agency  in  the  management  of  modern  morality.  In  other 
words,  while  he  had  implicit  faith  in  the  ability  of  Balsam's  ass 
to  speak,  he  was  somewhat  skeptical  on  the  subject  of  a  bear's 
singing;  and  yet  he  had  been  assured  of  the  latter,  on  the  testi 
mony  of  his  own  exquisite  organs.  There  was  something  in  his 
air  and  manner  that  betrayed  to  the  scout  the  utter  confusion  of 
the  state  of  his  mind.  He  was  seated  on  a  pile  of  brush,  a  few 
twigs  from  which  occasionally  fed  his  low  fire,  with  his  head  lean 
ing  on  his  arm,  in  a  posture  of  melancholy  musing.  The  costume 
of  the  votary  of  music  had  undergone  no  other  alteration  from 
that  so  lately  described,  except  that  he  had  covered  his  bald  head 
with  the  triangular  beaver,  which  had  not  proved  sufficiently  al 
luring  to  excite  the  cupidity  of  any  of  his  captors. 

The  ingenious  Hawkeye,  who  recalled  the  hasty  manner  in 
which  the  other  had  abandoned  his  post  at  the  bedside  of  the  sick 
woman,  was  not  without  his  suspicions  concerning  the  subject  of 
so  much  solemn  deliberation.  First  making  the  circuit  of  the  hut, 
and  ascertaining  that  it  stood  quite  alone,  and  that  the  character 
of  its  inmate  was  likely  to  protect  it  from  visitors,  he  ventured 
through  its  low  door,  into  the  very  presence  of  Gamut.  The  posi 
tion  of  the  latter  brought  the  fire  between  them ;  and  when  Hawk- 
eye  had  seated  himself  on  end,  near  a  minute  elapsed,  during 
which  the  two  remained  regarding  each  other  without  speaking. 
The  suddenness  and  the  nature  of  the  surprise  had  nearly  proved 
too  much  for — we  will  not  say  the  philosophy — but  for  the  faith 
and  resolution  of  David.  He  fumbled  for  his  pitch-pipe,  and 
arose  with  a  confused  intention  of  attempting  a  musical  exorcism. 

"Dark  and  mysterious  monster!"  he  exclaimed,  while  with 
trembling  hands  he  disposed  of  his  auxiliary  eyes,  and  sought  his 
never-failing  resource  in  trouble,  the  gifted  version  of  the 
Psalms:  "I  know  not  your  nature  nor  intents;  but  if  aught  you 
meditate  against  the  person  and  rights  of  one  of  the  humblest 
servants  of  the  temple,  listen  to  the  inspired  language  of  the  youth 
of  Israel,  and  repent." 


282  THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS 

The  bear  shook  his  shaggy  sides,  and  then  a  well-known  voice 
replied,— 

"Put  up  the  tooting  we'pon,  and  teach  your  throat  modesty. 
Five  words  of  plain  and  comprehensible  English  are  worth,  just 
now,  an  hour  of  squalling." 

"What  art  thou!"  demanded  David,  utterly  disqualified  to 
pursue  his  original  intention,  and  nearly  gasping  for  breath. 

"A  man  like  yourself;  and  one  whose  blood  is  as  little  tainted 
by  the  cross  of  a  bear,  or  an  Indian,  as  your  own.  Have  you  so 
soon  forgotten  from  whom  you  received  the  foolish  instrument 
you  hold  in  your  hand?" 

"Can  these  things  be?"  returned  David,  breathing  more 
freely,  as  the  truth  began  to  dawn  upon  him.  "I  have  found 
many  marvels  during  my  sojourn  with  the  heathen,  but  surely 
nothing  to  excel  this!" 

"Come,  come,"  returned  Hawkeye,  uncasing  his  honest  coun 
tenance,  the  better  to  assure  the  wavering  confidence  of  his  com 
panion;  "you  may  see  a  skin,  which,  if  it  be  not  as  white  as  one  of 
the  gentle  ones,  has  no  tinge  of  red  to  it  that  the  winds  of  heaven 
and  the  sun  have  not  bestowed.  Now  let  us  to  business." 

"First  tell  me  of  the  maiden,  and  of  the  youth  who  so  bravely 
sought  her,"  interrupted  David. 

"Ay,  they  are  happily  freed  from  the  tomahawks  of  these 
varlets.  But  can  you  put  me  on  the  scent  of  Uncas?" 

"The  young  man  is  in  bondage,  and  much  I  fear  his  death  is 
decreed.  I  greatly  mourn  that  one  so  well  disposed  should  die  in 
his  ignorance,  and  I  have  sought  a  goodly  hymn — ' 

"Can  you  lead  me  to  him?" 

"The  task  will  not  be  difficult,"  returned  David,  hesitating; 
"though  I  greatly  fear  your  presence  would  rather  increase  than 
mitigate  his  unhappy  fortunes." 

'  No  more  words,  but  lead  on,"  returned  Hawkeye,  conceal 
ing  his  face  again,  and  setting  the  example  in  his  own  person,  by 
instantly  quitting  the  lodge. 

As  they  proceeded,  the  scout  ascertained  that  his  companion 
found  access  to  Uncas,  under  privilege  of  his  imaginary  in 
firmity,  aided  by  the  favor  he  had  acquired  with  one  of  the 
guards,  who,  in  consequence  of  speaking  a  little  English,  had 
been  selected  by  David  as  the  subject  of  a  religious  conversation. 
How  far  the  Huron  comprehended  the  intentions  of  his  new 
friend,  may  well  be  doubted ;  but  as  exclusive  attention  is  as  flat- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  283 

tering  to  a  savage  as  to  a  more  civilized  individual,  it  had  pro 
duced  the  effect  we  have  mentioned.  It  is  unnecessary  to  repeat 
the  shrewd  manner  with  which  the  scout  extracted  these  particu 
lars  from  the  simple  David ;  neither  shall  we  dwell  in  this  place  on 
the  nature  of  the  instructions  he  delivered,  when  completely 
master  of  all  the  necessary  facts;  as  the  whole  will  be  sufficiently 
explained  to  the  reader  in  the  course  of  the  narrative. 

The  lodge  in  which  Uncas  was  confined  was  in  the  very  centre 
of  the  village,  and  in  a  situation,  perhaps,  more  difficult  than  any 
other  to  approach,  or  leave,  without  observation.  But  it  was  not 
the  policy  of  Hawkeye  to  affect  the  least  concealment.  Presum 
ing  on  his  disguise,  and  his  ability  to  sustain  the  character  he  had 
assumed,  he  took  the  most  plain  and  direct  route  to  the  place. 
The  hour,  however,  afforded  him  some  little  of  that  protection 
which  he  appeared  so  much  to  despise.  The  boys  were  already 
buried  in  sleep,  and  all  the  women,  and  most  of  the  warriors,  had 
retired  to  their  lodges  for  the  night.  Four  or  five  of  the  latter 
only  lingered  about  the  door  of  the  prison  of  Uncas,  wary  but 
close  observers  of  the  manner  of  their  captive. 

At  the  sight  of  Gamut,  accompanied  by  one  in  the  well  known 
masquerade  of  their  most  distinguished  conjurer,  they  readily 
made  way  for  them  both.  Still  they  betrayed  no  intention  to  de 
part.  On  the  other  hand,  they  were  evidently  disposed  to  remain 
bound  to  the  place  by  an  additional  interest  in  the  mysterious 
mummeries  that  they  of  course  expected  from  such  a  visit. 

From  the  total  inability  of  the  scout  to  address  the  Hurons  in 
their  own  language,  he  was  compelled  to  trust  the  conversation 
entirely  to  David.  Notwithstanding  the  simplicity  of  the  latter, 
he  did  ample  justice  to  the  instructions  he  had  received,  more  than 
fulfilling  the  strongest  hopes  of  his  teacher. 

"The  Delawares  are  women!"  he  exclaimed,  addressing  him 
self  to  the  savage  who  had  a  slight  understanding  of  the  language 
in  which  he  spoke;  "the  Yengeese,  my  foolish  countrymen,  have 
told  them  to  take  up  the  tomahawk,  and  strike  their  fathers  in 
the  Canadas,  and  they  have  forgotten  their  sex.  Does  my  brother 
wish  to  hear  Le  Cerf  Agile  ask  for  his  petticoats,  and  see  him 
weep  before  the  Hurons,  at  the  stake?" 

The  exclamation  "Hugh !"  delivered  in  a  strong  tone  of  assent, 
announced  the  gratification  the  savage  would  receive  in  witness 
ing  such  an  exhibition  of  weakness  in  an  enemy  so  long  hated  and 
so  much  feared. 


284  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Then  let  him  step  aside,  and  the  cunning  man  will  blow  upon 
the  dog!  Tell  it  to  my  brothers." 

The  Huron  explained  the  meaning  of  David  to  his  fellows, 
who,  in  their  turn,  listened  to  the  project  with  that  sort  of  satis 
faction  that  their  untamed  spirits  might  be  expected  to  find  in  such 
a  refinement  in  cruelty.  They  drew  back  a  little  from  the  en 
trance,  and  motioned  to  the  supposed  conjurer  to  enter.  But  the 
bear,  instead  of  obeying,  maintained  the  seat  it  had  taken,  and 
growled. 

"The  cunning  man  is  afraid  that  his  breath  will  blow  upon  his 
brothers,  and  take  away  their  courage  too,"  continued  David,  im 
proving  the  hint  he  received;  "they  must  stand  farther  off." 

The  Hurons,  who  would  have  deemed  such  a  misfortune  the 
heaviest  calamity  that  could  befall  them,  fell  back  in  a  body, 
taking  a  position  where  they  were  out  of  earshot,  though  at  the 
same  time  they  could  command  a  view  of  the  entrance  to  the 
lodge.  Then,  as  if  satisfied  of  their  safety,  the  scout  left  his  posi 
tion,  and  slowly  entered  the  place.  It  was  silent  and  gloomy, 
being  tenanted  solely  by  the  captive,  and  lighted  by  the  dying 
embers  of  a  fire,  which  had  been  used  for  the  purposes  of  cookery. 

Uncas  occupied  a  distant  corner,  in  a  reclining  attitude,  being 
rigidly  bound,  both  hands  and  feet,  by  strong  and  painful  withes. 
When  the  frightful  object  first  presented  itself  to  the  young  Mo 
hican,  he  did  not  deign  to  bestow  a  single  glance  on  the  animal. 
The  scout,  who  had  left  David  at  the  door,  to  ascertain  they  were 
not  observed,  thought  it  prudent  to  preserve  his  disguise  until 
assured  of  their  privacy.  Instead  of  speaking,  therefore,  he  ex 
erted  himself  to  enact  one  of  the  antics  of  the  animal  he  repre 
sented.  The  young  .Mohican,  who  at  first  believed  his  enemies 
had  sent  in  a  real  beast  to  torment  him,  and  try  his  nerves,  de 
tected,  in  those  performances  that  to  Heyward  had  appeared  so 
accurate,  certain  blemishes,  that  at  once  betrayed  the  counterfeit. 
Had  Hawkeye  been  aware  of  the  low  estimation  in  which  the 
more  skilful  Uncas  held  his  representations,  he  would  probably 
have  prolonged  the  entertainment  a  little  in  pique.  But  the 
scornful  expression  of  the  young  man's  eye  admitted  of  so  many 
constructions,  that  the  worthy  scout  was  spared  the  mortification 
of  such  a  discovery.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  David  gave  the  pre 
concerted  signal,  a  low  hissing  sound  was  heard  in  the  lodge,  in 
place  of  the  fierce  growlings  of  the  bear. 

Uncas  had  cast  his  body  back  against  the  wall  of  the  hut,  and 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  285 

closed  his  eyes,  as  if  willing  to  exclude  so  contemptible  and  dis 
agreeable  an  object  from  his  sight.  But  the  moment  the  noise  of 
the  serpent  was  heard,  he  arose,  and  cast  his  looks  on  each  side  of 
him,  bending  his  head  low,  and  turning  it  inquiringly  in  every 
direction,  until  his  keen  eye  rested  on  the  shaggy  monster,  where 
it  remained  riveted,  as  though  fixed  by  the  power  of  a  charm. 
Again  the  same  sounds  were  repeated,  evidently  proceeding  from 
the  mouth  of  the  beast.  Once  more  the  eyes  of  the  youth  roamed 
over  the  interior  of  the  lodge,  and  returning  to  their  former  rest 
ing  place,  he  uttered,  in  a  deep,  suppressed  voice, — 

"Hawkeye!" 

"Cut  his  bands,"  said  Hawkeye  to  David,  who  just  then  ap 
proached  them. 

The  singer  did  as  he  was  ordered,  and  Uncas  found  his  limbs 
released.  At  the  same  moment  the  dried  skin  of  the  animal  rat 
tled,  and  presently  the  scout  arose  to  his  feet,  in  proper  person. 
The  Mohican  appeared  to  comprehend  the  nature  of  the  attempt 
his  friend  had  made,  intuitively;  neither  tongue  nor  feature  be 
traying  another  symptom  of  surprise.  When  Hawkeye  had  cast 
his  shaggy  vestment,  which  was  done  by  simply  loosing  certain 
thongs  of  skin,  he  drew  a  long  glittering  knife,  and  put  it  in  the 
hands  of  Uncas. 

"The  red  Hurons  are  without,"  he  said;  "let  us  be  ready." 

At  the  same  time  he  laid  his  finger  significantly  on  another 
similar  weapon,  both  being  the  fruits  of  his  prowess  among  their 
enemies  during  the  evening. 

"We  will  go,"  said  Uncas. 

"Whither?"' 

"To  the  Tortoises;  they  are  the  children  of  my  grandfathers." 

"Ay,  lad,"  said  the  scout  in  English — a  language  he  was  apt 
to  use  when  a  little  abstracted  in  mind;  "the  same  blood  runs  in 
your  veins,  I  believe ;  but  time  and  distance  have  a  little  changed 
its  color.  What  shall  we  do  with  the  Mingos  at  the  door?  They 
count  six,  and  this  singer  is  as  good  as  nothing." 

"The  Hurons  are  boasters,"  said  Uncas  scornfully;  "their 
'tatem'  is  a  moose,  and  they  run  like  snails.  The  Delawares  are 
children  of  the  tortoise,  and  they  outstrip  the  deer." 

"Ay,  lad,  there  is  truth  in  what  you  say;  and  I  doubt  not,  on 
a  rush,  you  would  pass  the  whole  nation ;  and,  in  a  straight  race  of 
two  miles,  would  be  in,  and  get  your  breath  again,  afore  a  knave 
of  them  all  was  within  hearing  of  the  other  village.  But  the  gift 


286  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

of  a  white  man  lies  more  in  his  arms  than  in  his  legs.  As  for 
myself,  I  can  brain  a  Huron  as  well  as  a  better  man ;  but  when  it 
comes  to  a  race,  the  knaves  would  prove  too  much  for  me." 

Uncas,  who  had  already  approached  the  door,  in  readiness  to 
lead  the  way,  now  recoiled ;  and  placed  himself,  once  more,  in  the 
bottom  of  the  lodge.  But  Hawkeye,  who  was  too  much  occupied 
with  his  own  thoughts  to  note  the  movement,  continued  speaking 
more  to  himself  than  to  his.  companion. 

"After  all,"  he  said,  "it  is  unreasonable  to  keep  one  man  in 
bondage  to  the  gifts  of  another.  So,  Uncas,  you  had  better  take 
the  leap,  while  I  put  on  the  skin  again,  and  trust  to  cunning  for 
want  of  speed." 

The  young  Mohican  made  no  reply,  but  quietly  folded  his 
arms,  and  leaned  his  body  against  one  of  the  upright  posts  that 
supported  the  wall  of  the  hut. 

"Well,"  said  the  scout,  looking  up  at  him,  "why  do  you  tarry? 
There  will  be  time  enough  for  me,  as  the  knaves  will  give  chase  to 
you  at  first." 

"Uncas  will  stay,"  was  the  calm  reply. 

"For  what?" 

"To  fight  with  his  father's  brother,  and  die  with  the  friend  of 
the  Delawares." 

"Ay,  lad,"  returned  Hawkeye,  squeezing  the  hand  of  Uncas 
between  his  own  iron  fingers;  "  'twould  have  been  more  like  a 
Mingo  than  a  Mohican  had  you  left  me.  But  I  thought  I  would 
make  the  offer,  seeing  that  youth  commonly  loves  life.  Well, 
what  can't  be  done  by  main  courage,  in  war,  must  be  done  by  cir 
cumvention.  Put  on  the  skin ;  I  doubt  not  you  can  play  the  bear 
nearly  as  well  as  myself." 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  private  opinion  of  Uncas  of 
their  respective  abilities  in  this  particular,  his  grave  countenance 
manifested  no  opinion  of  his  own  superiority.  He  silently  and 
expeditiously  encased  himself  in  the  covering  of  the  beast,  and 
then  awaited  such  other  movements  as  his  more  aged  companion 
saw  fit  to  dictate. 

"Now,  friend,"  said  Hawkeye,  addressing  David,  "an  ex 
change  of  garments  will  be  a  great  convenience  to  you,  inasmuch 
as  you  are  but  little  accustomed  to  the  make-shifts  of  the  wilder 
ness.  Here,  take  my  hunting  shirt  and  cap,  and  give  me  your 
blanket  and  hat.  You  must  trust  me  with  the  book  and  specta 
cles,  as  well  as  the  tooter,  too;  if  we  ever  meet  again,  in  better 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  287 

times,  you  shall  have  all  back  again,  with  many  thanks  into  the 
bargain." 

David  parted  with  the  several  articles  named  with  a  readiness 
that  would'have  done  great  credit  to  his  liberality,  had  he  not  cer 
tainly  profited,  in  many  particulars,  by  the  exchange.  Hawk- 
eye  was  not  long  in  assuming  his  borrowed  garments;  and  when 
his  restless  eyes  were  hid  behind  the  glasses,  and  his  head  was  sur 
mounted  by  the  triangular  beaver,  as  their  statures  were  not  dis 
similar,  he  might  readily  have  passed  for  the  singer  by  star-light. 
As  soon  as  these  dispositions  were  made,  the  scout  turned  to 
David,  and  gave  him  his  parting  instructions. 

"Are  you  much  given  to  cowardice?"  he  bluntly  asked,  by  way 
of  obtaining  a  suitable  understanding  of  the  whole  case  before  he 
ventured  a  prescription. 

"My  pursuits  are  peaceful,  and  my  temper,  I  humbly  trust, 
is  greatly  given  to  mercy  and  love,"  returned  David,  a  little  net 
tled  at  so  direct  an  attack  on  his  manhood;  "but  there  are  none 
who  can  say  that  I  have  ever  forgotten  my  faith  in  the  Lord,  even 
in  the  greatest  straits." 

"Your  chiefest  danger  will  be  at  the  moment  when  the  savages 
find  out  that  they  have  been  deceived.  If  you  are  not  then 
knocked  in  the  head,  your  being  a  non-composser  will  protect 
you ;  and  you'll  then  have  good  reason  to  expect  to  die  in  your  bed. 
If  you  stay,  it  must  be  to  sit  down  here  in  the  shadow,  and  take 
the  part  of  Uncas,  until  such  times  as  the  cunning  of  the  Indians 
discover  the  cheat,  when,  as  I  have  already  said,  your  time  of  trial 
will  come.  So  choose  for  yourself, — to  make  a  rush  or  tarry  here." 

"Even  so,"  said  David,  firmly,  "I  will  abide  in  the  place  of 
the  Delaware.  Bravely  and  generously  has  he  battled  in  my  be 
half;  and  this,  and  more,  will  I  dare  in  his  service." 

"You  have  spoken  as  a  man,  and  like  one  who,  under  wiser 
schooling,  would  have  been  brought  to  better  things.  Hold  your 
head  down,  and  draw  in  your  legs ;  their  formation  might  tell  the 
truth  too  early.  Keep  silent  as  long  as  may  be;  and  it  would  be 
wise,  when  you  do  speak,  to  break  out  suddenly  in  one  of  your 
shoutings,  which  will  serve  to  remind  the  Indians  that  you  are  not 
altogether  as  responsible  as  men  should  be.  If,  however,  they 
take  your  scalp,  as  I  trust  and  believe  they  will  not,  depend  on  it, 
Uncas  and  I  will  not  forget  the  deed,  but  revenge  it  as  becomes 
true  warriors  and  trusty  friends." 

"Hold!"  said  David,  perceiving  that  with  this  assurance  they 


288  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

were  about  to  leave  him;  "I  am  an  unworthy  and  humble  follower 
of  One  who  taught  not  the  damnable  principle  of  revenge. 
Should  I  fall,  therefore,  seek  no  victims  to  my  manes,  but  rather 
forgive  my  destroyers ;  and  if  you  remember  them  at  all,  let  it  be 
in  prayers  for  the  enlightening  of  their  minds,  and  for  their 
eternal  welfare." 

The  scout  hesitated,  and  appeared  to  muse. 

"There  is  a  principle  in  .that,"  he  said,  "different  from  the  law 
of  the  woods;  and  yet  it  is  fair  and  noble  to  reflect  upon."  Then, 
heaving  a  heavy  sigh,  probably  among  the  last  he  ever  drew  in 
pining  for  a  condition  he  had  so  long  abandoned,  he  added,  "It  is 
what  I  would  wish  to  practise,  myself,  as  one  without  a  cross  of 
blood,  though  it  is  not  always  easy  to  deal  with  an  Indian  as  you 
would  with  a  fellow  Christian.  God  bless  you,  friend;  I  do  be 
lieve  your  scent  is  not  greatly  wrong,  when  the  matter  is  duly  con 
sidered,  and  keeping  eternity  before  the  eyes,  though  much  de 
pends  on  the  natural  gifts,  and  the  force  of  temptation." 

So  saying,  the  scout  returned  and  shook  David  cordially  by 
the  hand;  after  which  act  of  friendship  he  immediately  left  the 
lodge,  attended  by  the  new  representative  of  the  beast. 

The  instant  Hawkeye  found  himself  under  the  observation  of 
the  Hurons,  he  drew  up  his  tall  form  in  the  rigid  manner  of 
David,  threw  out  his  arm  in  the  act  of  keeping  time,  and  com 
menced  what  he  intended  for  an  imitation  of  his  psalmody.  Hap 
pily  for  the  success  of  this  delicate  adventure,  he  had  to  deal  with 
ears  but  little  practised  in  the  concord  of  sweet  sounds,  or  the 
miserable  effort  would  infallibly  have  been  detected.  It  was  nec 
essary  to  pass  within  a  dangerous  proximity  of  the  dark  group 
of  the  savages,  and  the  voice  of  the  scout  grew  louder  as  they  drew 
nigher.  When  at  the  nearest  point,  the  Huron  who  spoke  the 
English  thrust  out  an  arm,  and  stopped  the  supposed  singing- 
master. 

"The  Delaware  dog!"  he  said,  leaning  forward,  and  peering 
through  the  dim  light  to  catch  the  expression  of  the  other's  fea 
tures;  "is  he  afraid?  will  the  Hurons  hear  his  groans?" 

A  growl  so  exceedingly  fierce  and  natural  proceeded  from  the 
beast,  that  the  young  Indian  released  his  hold  and  started  aside, 
as  if  to  assure  himself  that  it  was  not  a  veritable  bear,  and  no 
counterfeit,  that  was  rolling  before  him.  Hawkeye,  who  feared 
his  voice  would  betray  him  to  his  subtle  enemies,  gladly  profited 
by  the  interruption,  to  break  out  anew  in  such  a  burst  of  musical 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  289 

expression  as  would,  probably,  in  a  more  refined  state  of  society 
have  been  termed  "a  grand  crash."  Among  his  actual  auditors, 
however,  it  merely  gave  him  an  additional  claim  to  that  respect 
which  they  never  withhold  from  such  as  are  believed  to  be  the  sub 
jects  of  mental  alienation.  The  little  knot  of  Indians  drew  back 
in  a  body,  and  suffered,  as  they  thought,  the  conjurer  and  his  in 
spired  assistant  to  proceed. 

It  required  no  common  exercise  of  fortitude  in  Uncas  and  the 
scout,  to  continue  the  dignified  and  deliberate  pace  they  had  as 
sumed  in  passing  the  lodges;  especially  as  they  immediately  per 
ceived  that  curiosity  had  so  far  mastered  fear,  as  to  induce  the 
watchers  to  approach  the  hut,  in  order  to  witness  the  effect  of  the 
incantations.  The  least  injudicious  or  impatient  movement  on 
the  part  of  David  might  betray  them,  and  time  was  absolutely 
necessary  to  insure  the  safety  of  the  scout.  The  loud  noise  the 
latter  conceived  it  politic  to  continue,  drew  many  curious  gazers 
to  the  doors  of  the  different  huts  as  they  passed;  and  once  or 
twice  a  dark-looking  warrior  stepped  across  their  path,  led  to 
the  act  by  superstition  or  watchfulness.  They  were  not,  however, 
interrupted;  the  darkness  of  the  hour,  and  the  coldness  of  the 
attempt,  proving  their  principal  friends. 

The  adventurers  had  got  clear  of  the  village,  and  were  now 
swiftly  approaching  the  shelter  of  the  woods,  when  a  loud  and 
long  cry  arose  from  the  lodge  where  Uncas  had  been  confined. 
The  Mohican  started  on  his  feet,  and  shook  his  shaggy  covering, 
as  though  the  animal  he  counterfeited  was  about  to  make  some 
desperate  effort. 

"Hold!"  said  the  scout,  grasping  his  friend  by  the  shoulder, 
"let  them  yell  again!  'Twas  nothing  but  wonderment." 

He  had  no  occasion  to  delay,  for  the  next  instant  a  burst  of 
cries  filled  the  outer  air,  and  ran  along  the  whole  extent  of  the 
village.  Uncas  cast  his  skin,  and  stepped  forth  in  his  own  beau 
tiful  proportions.  Hawkeye  tapped  him  lightly  on  the  shoulder, 
and  glided  ahead. 

"Now  let  the  devils  strike  our  scent!"  said  the  scout,  tearing 
two  rifles,  with  all  their  attendant  accoutrements,  from  beneath 
a  bush,  and  flourishing  "Killdeer"  as  he  handed  Uncas  his 
weapon;  "two,  at  least,  will  find  it  to  their  deaths." 

Then  throwing  their  pieces  to  a  low  trail,  like  sportsmen  in 
readiness  for  their  game,  they  dashed  forward,  and  were  soon 
buried  in  the  sombre  darkness  of  the  forest 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

"Ant.  I  shall  remember: 

When  Caesar  says  Do  this,  it  is  performed." 

Julius  Ccesar. 

THE  impatience  of  the  savages  who  lingered  about  the  prison  of 
Uncas,  as  has  been  seen,  had  overcome  their  dread  of  the  conjur 
er's  breath.  They  stole  cautiously,  and  with  beating  hearts,  to  a 
crevice,  through  which  the  faint  light  of  the  fire  was  glimmering. 
For  several  minutes  they  mistook  the  form  of  David  for  that  of 
their  prisoner;  but  the  very  accident  which  Hawkey e  had  fore 
seen  occurred.  Tired  of  keeping  the  extremities  of  his  long  per 
son  so  near  together,  the  singer  gradually  suffered  the  lower  limbs 
to  extend  themselves,  until  one  of  his  misshapen  feet  actually 
came  in  contact  with  and  shoved  aside  the  embers  of  the  fire.  At 
first  the  Hurons  believed  the  Delaware  had  been  thus  deformed 
by  witchcraft.  But  when  David,  unconscious  of  being  observed, 
turned  his  head,  and  exposed  his  simple,  mild  countenance,  in 
place  of  the  haughty  lineaments  of  their  prisoner,  it  would  have 
exceeded  the  credulity  of  even  a  native  to  have  doubted  any 
longer.  They  rushed  together  into  the  lodge,  and  laying  their 
hands,  with  but  little  ceremony,  on  their  captive,  immediately  de 
tected  the  imposition.  Then  arose  the  cry  first  heard  by  the  fugi 
tives.  It  was  succeeded  by  the  most  frantic  and  angry  demon 
strations  of  vengeance.  David,  however  firm  in  his  determina 
tion  to  cover  the  retreat  of  his  friends,  was  compelled  to  believe 
that  his  own  final  hour  had  come.  Deprived  of  his  book  and  his 
pipe,  he  was  fain  to  trust  to  a  memory  that  rarely  failed  him  on 
such  subjects;  and  breaking  forth  in  a  loud  and  impassioned 
strain,  he  endeavored  to  soothe  his  passage  into  the  other  world, 
by  singing  the  opening  verse  of  a  funeral  anthem.  The  Indians 
were  seasonably  reminded  of  his  infirmity,  and  rushing  into  the 
open  air,  they  aroused  the  village  in  the  manner  described. 

A  native  warrior  fights  as  he  sleeps,  without  the  protection  of 
anything  defensive.  The  sounds  of  the  alarm  were,  therefore, 
hardly  uttered,  before  two  hundred  men  were  afoot,  and  ready 

290 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  291 

for  the  battle  or  the  chase,  as  either  might  be  required.  The 
escape  was  soon  known;  and  the  whole  tribe  crowded,  in  a  body, 
around  the  council-lodge,  impatiently  awaiting  the  instruction  of 
their  chiefs.  In -such  a  sudden  demand  on  their  wisdom,  the  pres 
ence  of  the  cunning  Magua  could  scarcely  fail  of  being  needed. 
His  name  was  mentioned,  and  all  looked  round  in  wonder  that  he 
did  not  appear.  Messengers  were  then  despatched  to  his  lodge, 
requiring  his  presence. 

In  the  meantime,  some  of  the  swiftest  and  most  discreet  of 
the  young  men  were  ordered  to  make  the  circuit  of  the  clearing, 
under  cover  of  the  woods,  in  order  to  ascertain  that  their  sus 
pected  neighbors,  the  Delawares,  designed  no  mischief.  Women 
and  children  ran  to  and  fro ;  and  in  short,  the  whole  encampment 
exhibited  another  scene  of  wild  and  savage  confusion.  Gradu 
ally,  however,  these  symptoms  of  disorder  diminished;  and  in  a 
few  minutes  the  oldest  and  most  distinguished  chiefs  were  assem 
bled  in  the  lodge,  in  grave  consultation. 

The  clamor  of  many  voices  soon  announced  that  a  party  ap 
proached,  who  might  be  expected  to  communicate  some  intelli 
gence  that  would  explain  the  mystery  of  the  novel  surprise.  The 
crowd  without  gave  way,  and  several  warriors  entered  the  place, 
bringing  with  them  the  hapless  conjurer,  who  had  been  left  so 
long  by  the  scout  in  duress. 

Notwithstanding  this  man  was  held  in  very  unequal  estima 
tion  among  the  Hurons,  some  believing  implicitly  in  his  power, 
and  others  deeming  him  an  impostor,  he  was  now  listened  to  by 
all  with  the  deepest  attention.  When  his  brief  story  was  ended, 
the  father  of  the  sick  woman  stepped  forth,  and,  in  a  few  pithy 
expressions,  related,  in  his  turn,  what  he  knew.  These  two  nar 
ratives  gave  a  proper  direction  to  the  subsequent  inquiries,  which 
were  now  made  with  the  characteristic  cunning  of  savages. 

Instead  of  rushing  in  a  confused  and  disorderly  throng  to  the 
cavern,  ten  of  the  wisest  and  firmest  among  the  chiefs  were  se 
lected  to  prosecute  the  investigation.  As  no  time  was  to  be  lost, 
the  instant  the  choice  was  made  the  individuals  appointed  rose  in 
a  body,  and  left  the  place  without  speaking.  On  reaching  the 
entrance,  the  younger  men  in  advance  made  way  for  their  seniors ; 
and  the  whole  proceeded  along  the  low,  dark  gallery,  with  the 
firmness  of  warriors  ready  to  devote  themselves  to  the  public 
good,  though,  at  the  same  time,  secretly  doubting  the  nature  of 
the  power  with  which  they  were  about  to  contend. 


292  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

The  outer  apartment  of  the  cavern  was  silent  and  gloomy. 
The  woman  lay  in  her  usual  place  and  posture,  though  there  were 
those  present  who  affirmed  they  had  seen  her  borne  to  the  woods, 
by  the  supposed  "medicine  of  the  white  men."  Such  a  direct  and 
palpable  contradiction  of  the  tale  related  by  the  father,  caused  all 
eyes  to  be  turned  on  him.  Chafed  by  the  silent  imputation,  and 
inwardly  troubled  by  so  unaccountable  a  circumstance,  the  chief 
advanced  to  the  side  of  the  bed,  and  stooping,  cast  an  incredulous 
look  at  the  features,  as  if  distrusting  their  reality.  His  daughter 
was  dead. 

The  unerring  feeling  of  nature,  for  a  moment  prevailed,  and 
the  old  warrior  hid  his  eyes  in  sorrow.  Then  recovering  his  self- 
possession,  he  faced  his  companions,  and  pointing  towards  the 
corpse,  he  said,  in  the  language  of  his  people, — 

"The  wife  of  my  young  man  has  left  us!  the  Great  Spirit  is 
angry  with  his  children." 

The  mournful  intelligence  was  received  in  solemn  silence. 
After  a  short  pause,  one  of  the  elder  Indians  was  about  to  speak, 
when  a  dark-looking  object  was  seen  rolling  out  of  an  adjoining 
apartment,  into  the  very  centre  of  the  room  where  they  stood. 
Ignorant  of  the  nature  of  the  beings  they  had  to  deal  with,  the 
whole  party  drew  back  a  little,  and  gazed  in  admiration,  until  the 
object  fronted  the  light,  and  rising  on  end,  exhibited  the  dis 
torted,  but  still  fierce  and  sullen  features  of  Magua.  The  discov 
ery  was  succeeded  by  a  general  exclamation  of  amazement. 

As  soon,  however,  as  the  true  situation  of  the  chief  was  under 
stood,  several  ready  knives  appeared,  and  his  limbs  and  tongue 
were  quickly  released.  The  Huron  arose,  and  shook  himself  like 
a  lion  quitting  his  lair.  Not  a  word  escaped  him,  though  his  hand 
played  convulsively  with  the  handle  of  his  knife,  while  his  lower 
ing  eyes  scanned  the  whole  party,  as  if  they  sought  an  object 
suited  to  the  first  burst  of  his  vengeance. 

It  was  happy  for  Uncas  and  the  scout,  and  even  David,  that 
they  were  all  beyond  the  reach  of  his  arm  at  such  a  moment ;  for, 
assuredly,  no  refinement  in  cruelty  would  then  have  deferred 
their  deaths,  in  opposition  to  the  promptings  of  the  fierce  temper 
that  nearly  choked  him.  Meeting  everywhere  faces  that  he  knew 
as  friends,  the  savage  grated  his  teeth  together  like  rasps  of  iron, 
and  swallowed  his  passion  for  want  of  a  victim  on  whom  to  vent 
it.  Th1' •-:  exhibition  of  anger  was  noted  by  all  present;  and,  from 
an  apprehension  of  exasperating  a  temper  that  was  already 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  293 

chafed  nearly  to  madness,  several  minutes  were  suffered  to  pass 
before  another  word  was  uttered.  When,  however,  suitable  time 
had  elapsed,  the  oldest  of  the  party  spoke. 

"My  friend  has  found  an  enemy,"  he  said.  "Is  he  nigh,  that 
the  Hurons  may  take  revenge?" 

"Let  the  Delaware  die!"  exclaimed  Magua,  in  a  voice  of 
thunder. 

Another  long  and  expressive  silence  was  observed,  and  was 
broken,  as  before,  with  due  precaution,  by  the  same  individual. 

"The  Mohican  is  swift  of  foot,  and  leaps  far,"  he  said;  "but 
my  young  men  are  on  his  trail." 

"Is  he  gone?"  demanded  Magua,  in  tones  so  deep  and  gut 
tural,  that  they  seemed  to  proceed  from  his  inmost  chest. 

"An  evil  spirit  has  been  among  us,  and  the  Delaware  has 
blinded  our  eyes." 

"An  evil  spirit!"  repeated  the  other,  mockingly;  "'tis  the  spirit 
that  has  taken  the  lives  of  so  many  Hurons;  the  spirit  that  slew 
my  young  men  at  'the  tumbling  river';  that  took  their  scalps  at 
the  'healing  spring';  and  who  has  now  bound  the  arms  of  Le 
Renard  Subtil!" 

"Of  whom  does  my  friend  speak?" 

"Of  the  dog  who  carries  the  heart  and  cunning  of  a  Huron 
under  a  pale  skin — La  Longue  Carabine.'' 

The  pronunciation  of  so  terrible  a  name  produced  the  usual 
effect  among  his  auditors.  But  when  time  was  given  for  reflec 
tion,  and  the  warriors  remembered  that  their  formidable  and  dar 
ing  enemy  had  even  been  in  the  bosom  of  their  encampment,  work 
ing  injury,  fearful  rage  took  the  place  of  wonder,  and  all  those 
fierce  passions  with  which  the  bosom  of  Magua  had  just  been 
struggling  were  suddenly  transferred  to  his  companions.  Some 
among  them  gnashed  their  teeth  in  anger,  others  vented  their  feel 
ings  in  yells,  and  some,  again  beat  the  air  as  frantically  as  if  the 
object  of  their  resentment  were  suffering  under  their  blows.  But 
this  sudden  outbreaking  of  temper  as  quickly  subsided  in  the  still 
and  sullen  restraint  they  most  affected,  in  their  moments  of 
inaction. 

Magua  who  had  in  his  turn  found  leisure  for  reflection,  now 
changed  his  manner,  and  assumed  the  air  of  one  who  knew,  how 
to  think  and  act  with  a  dignity  worthy  of  so  grave  a  subject. 

"Let  us  go  to  my  people,"  he  said;  "they  wait  for  us." 


294  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

His  companions  consented  in  silence,  and  the  whole  of  the 
savage  party  left  the  cavern  and  returned  to  the  council-lodge. 
When  they  were  seated,  all  eyes  turned  on  Magua,  who  under 
stood,  from  such  an  indication,  that,  by  common  consent,  they  had 
devolved  the  duty  of  relating  what  had  passed  on  him.  He  arose, 
and  told  his  tale  without  duplicity  or  reservation.  The  whole  de 
ception  practised  by  both  Duncan  and  Hawkeye  was,  of  course, 
laid  naked;  and  no  room  was  found,  even  for  the  most  supersti 
tious  of  the  tribe,  any  longer  to  affix  a  doubt  on  the  character  of 
the  occurrences.  It  was  but  too  apparent  that  they  had  been 
insultingly,  shamefully,  disgracefully  deceived.  When  he  had 
ended,  and  resumed  his  seat,  the  collected  tribe — for  his  auditors, 
in  substance,  included  all  the  fighting  men  of  the  party — sat  re 
garding  each  other  like  men  astonished  equally  at  the  audacity 
and  the  success  of  their  enemies.  The  next  consideration,  how 
ever,  was  the  means  and  opportunities  for  revenge. 

Additional  pursuers  were  sent  on  the  trail  of  the  fugitives; 
and  then  the  chiefs  applied  themselves,  in  earnest,  to  the  business 
of  consultation.  Many  different  expedients  were  proposed  by  the 
elder  warriors,  in  succession,  to  all  of  which  Magua  was  a  silent 
and  respectful  listener.  That  subtle  savage  had  recovered  his 
artifice  and  self-command,  and  now  proceeded  towards  his  object 
with  his  customary  caution  and  skill.  It  was  only  when  each  one 
disposed  to  speak  had  uttered  his  sentiments,  that  he  prepared 
to  advance  his  own  opinions.  They  were  given  with  additional 
weight  from  the  circumstance  that  some  of  the  runners  had  al 
ready  returned,  and  reported  that  their  enemies  had  been  traced 
so  far  as  to  leave  no  doubt  of  their  having  sought  safety  in  the 
neighboring  camp  of  their  suspected  allies,  the  Delawares.  With 
the  advantage  of  possessing  this  important  intelligence,  the  chief 
warily  laid  his  plans  before  his  fellows,  and,  as  might  have  been 
anticipated  from  his  eloquence  and  cunning,  they  were  adopted 
without  a  dissenting  voice.  They  were,  briefly,  as  follows,  both 
in  opinions  and  in  motives. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that,  in  obedience  to  a  policy  rarely 
departed  from,  the  sisters  were  separated  so  soon  as  they  reached 
the  Huron  village.  Magua  had  early  discovered  that  in  retaining 
the  person  of  Alice,  he  possessed  the  most  effentuaJ  check  on 
Cora.  When  they  parted,  therefore,  he  kept  the  forme1-  within 
reach  of  his  hand,  consigning  the  one  he  most  valued  to  the  keep 
ing  of  their  allies.  The  arrangement  was  understood  to  be  merely 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  295 

temporary,  and  was  made  as  much  with  a  view  to  flatter  liis 
neighbors  as  in  obedience  to  the  invariable  rule  of  Indian  policy. 

While  goaded  incessantly  by  those  revengeful  impulses  that 
in  a  savage  seldom  slumber,  the  chief  was  still  attentive  to  his 
more  permanent  personal  interests.  The  follies  and  disloyalty 
committed  in  his  youth  were  to  be  expiated  by  a  long  and  painful 
penance,  ere  he  could  be  restored  to  the  full  enjoyment  of  the 
confidence  of  his  ancient  people;  and  without  confidence,  there 
could  be  no  authority  in  an  Indian  tribe.  In  this  delicate  and 
arduous  situation,  the  crafty  native  had  neglected  no  means  of 
increasing  his  influence;  and  one  of  the  happiest  of  his  expedients 
had  been  the  success  with  which  he  had  cultivated  the  favor  of 
their  powerful  and  dangerous  neighbors.  The  result  of  his  ex 
periment  had  answered  all  the  expectations  of  his  policy;  for  the 
Hurons  were  in  no  degree  exempt  from  that  governing  principle 
of  nature,  which  induces  man  to  value  his  gifts  precisely  in  the 
degree  that  they  are  appreciated  by  others. 

But,  while  he  was  making  this  ostensible  sacrifice  to  general 
considerations,  Magua  never  lost  sight  of  his  individual  motives. 
The  latter  had  been  frustrated  by  the  unlooked-for  events  which 
had  placed  all  his  prisoners  beyond  his  control ;  and  he  now  found 
himself  reduced  to  the  necessity' of  suing  for  favors  to  those  whom 
it  had  so  lately  been  his  policy  to  oblige. 

Several  of  the  chiefs  had  proposed  deep  and  treacherous 
schemes  to  surprise  the  Delawares,  and,  by  gaining  possession  of 
their  camp,  to  recover  their  prisoners  by  the  same  blow;  for  all 
agreed  that  their  honor,  their  interests,  and  the  peace  and  happi 
ness  of  their  dead  countrymen,  imperiously  required  them  speed 
ily  to  immolate  some  victims  to  their  revenge.  But  plans  so  dan 
gerous  to  attempt,  and  of  such  doubtful  issue,  Magua  found  little 
difficulty  in  defeating.  He  exposed  their  risk  and  fallacy  with  his 
usual  skill;  and  it  was  only  after  he  had  removed  every  impedi 
ment,  in  the  shape  of  opposing  advice,  that  he  ventured  to  pro 
pose  his  own  projects. 

He  commenced  by  flattering  the  self-love  of  his  auditors;  a 
never-failing  method  of  commanding  attention.  When  he  had 
enumerated  the  many  different  occasions  on  which  the  Hurons 
had  exhibited  their  courage  and  prowess,  in  the  punishment  of  in 
sults,  he  digressed  in  a  high  encomium  on  the  virtue  of  wisdom. 
He  painted  the  quality,  as  forming  the  great  point  of  difference 
between  the  beaver  and  other  brutes;  between  brutes  and  men; 


296  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

and,  finally,  between  the  Hurons,  in  particular,  and  the  rest  of 
the  human  race.  After  he  had  sufficiently  extolled  the  property 
of  discretion,  he  undertook  to  exhibit  in  what  manner  its  use  was 
applicable  to  the  present  situation  of  their  tribe.  On  the  one 
hand,  he  said,  was  their  great  pale  father,  the  governor  of  the 
Canadas,  who  had  looked  upon  his  children  with  a  hard  eye  since 
their  tomahawks  had  been  so  red;  on  the  other,  a  people  as  numer 
ous  as  themselves,  who  spoke  a  different  language,  possessed  dif 
ferent  interests,  and  loved  them  not,  and  who  would  be  glad  of 
any  pretence  to  bring  them  in  disgrace  with  the  great  white  chief. 
Then  he  spoke  of  their  necessities;  of  the  gifts  they  had  a  right 
to  expect  for  their  past  services;  of  their  distance  from  their 
proper  hunting-grounds  and  native  villages ;  and  of  the  necessity 
of  consulting  prudence  more,  and  inclination  less,  in  so  critical 
circumstances.  When  he  perceived  that,  while  the  old  men  ap 
plauded  his  moderation,  many  of  the  fiercest  and  most  distin 
guished  of  the  warriors  listened  to  these  politic  plans  with  lower 
ing  looks,  he  cunningly  led  them  back  to  the  subject  which  they 
most  loved.  He  spoke  openly  of  the  fruits  of  their  wisdom, 
which  he  boldly  pronounced  would  be  a  complete  and  final  tri 
umph  over  their  enemies.  He  even  darkly  hinted  that  their  suc 
cess  might  be  extended,  with  proper  caution,  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  include  the  destruction  of  all  whom  they  had  reason  to  hate. 
In  short,  he  so  blended  the  warlike  with  the  artful,  the  obvious 
with  the  obscure,  as  to  flatter  the  propensities  of  both  parties,  and 
to  leave  to  each  subject  of  hope,  while  neither  could  say  it  clearly 
comprehended  his  intentions. 

The  orator,  or  the  politician,  who  can  produce  such  a  state  of 
things,  is  commonly  popular  with  his  contemporaries,  however 
he  may  be  treated  by  posterity.  All  perceived  that  more  was 
meant  than  was  uttered,  and  each  one  believed  that  the  hidden 
meaning  was  precisely  such  as  his  own  faculties  enabled  him  to 
understand,  or  his  own  wishes  led  him  to  anticipate. 

In  this  happy  state  of  things,  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  man 
agement  of  Magua  prevailed.  The  tribe  consented  to  act  with 
deliberation,  and  with  one  voice  they  committed  the  direction  of 
the  whole  affair  to  the  government  of  the  chief  who  had  suggested 
such  wise  and  intelligible  expedients. 

Magua  had  now  attained  one  great  object  of  all  his  cunning 
and  enterprise.  The  ground  he  had  lost  in  the  favor  of  his  people 
was  completely  regained,  and  he  found  himself  even  placed,  at 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  297 

the  head  of  affairs.  He  was,  in  truth,  their  ruler;  and,  so  long 
as  he  could  maintain  his  popularity,  no  monarch  could  be  more 
despotic,  especially  while  the  tribe  continued  in  a  hostile  country. 
Throwing  off,  therefore,  the  appearance  of  consultation,  he  as 
sumed  the  grave  air  of  authority  necessary  to  support  the  dignity 
of  his  office. 

Runners  were  despatched  for  intelligence  in  different  direc 
tions;  spies  were  ordered  to  approach  and  feel  the  encampment 
of  the  Delawares;  the  warriors  were  dismissed  to  their  lodges, 
with  an  intimation  that  their  services  would  soon  be  needed;  and 
the  women  and  children  were  ordered  to  retire,  with  a  warning 
that  it  was  their  province  to  be  silent.  When  these  several 
arrangements  were  made,  Magua  passed  through  the  village, 
stopping  here  and  there  to  pay  a  visit  where  he  thought  his  pres 
ence  might  be  flattering  to  the  individual.  He  confirmed  his 
friends  in  their  confidence,  fixed  the  wavering,  and  gratified  all. 
Then  he  sought  his  own  lodge.  The  wife  the  Huron  chief  had 
abandoned,  when  he  was  chased  from  among  his  people,  was 
dead.  Children  he  had  none;  and  he  now  occupied  a  hut,  with 
out  companion  of  any  sort.  It  was,  in  fact,  the  dilapidated  and 
solitary  structure  in  which  David  had  been  discovered,  and  whom 
he  had  tolerated  in  his  presence,  on  those  few  occasions  when  they 
met,  with  the  contemptuous  indifference  of  a  haughty  superiority. 

Hither,  then,  Magua  retired,  when  his  labors  of  policy  were 
ended.  While  others  slept,  however,  he  neither  knew  nor  sought 
repose.  Had  there  been  one  sufficiently  curious  to  have  watched 
the  movements  of  the  newly  elected  chief,  he  would  have  seen 
him  seated  in  a  corner  of  his  lodge,  musing  on  the  subject  of  his 
future  plans,  from  the  hour  of  his  retirement  to  the  time  he  had 
appointed  for  the  warriors  to  assemble  again.  Occasionally  the 
air  breathed  through  the  crevices  of  the  hut,  and  the  low  flames 
that  fluttered  about  the  embers  of  the  fire  threw  their  wavering 
light  on  the  person  of  the  sullen  recluse.  At  such  moments  it 
would  not  have  been  difficult  to  have  fancied  the  dusky  savage  the 
Prince  of  Darkness,  brooding  on  his  own  fancied  wrongs,  and 
plotting  evil. 

Long  before  the  day  dawned,  however,  warrior  after  warrior 
entered  the  solitary  hut  of  Magua,  until  they  had  collected  to 
the  number  of  twenty.  Each  bore  his  rifle,  and  all  the  other  ac 
coutrements  of  war,  though  the  paint  was  uniformly  peaceful. 
The  entrance  of  these  fierce-looking  beings  was  unnoticed ;  some 


298  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

seating  themselves  in  the  shadows  of  the  place,  and  others  stand 
ing  like  motionless  statues,  until  the  whole  of  the  designated 
band  was  collected. 

Then  Magua  arose  and  gave  the  signal  to  proceed,  marching 
himself  in  advance.  They  followed  their  leader  singly,  and  in 
that  well-known  order  which  has  obtained  the  distinguishing  ap 
pellation  of  "Indian  file."  Unlike  other  men  engaged  in  the 
spirit-stirring  business  of  war,  they  stole  from  their  camp  unos 
tentatiously  and  unobserved,  resembling  a  band  of  gliding  spec 
tres,  more  than  warriors  seeking  the  bubble  reputation  by  deeds 
of  desperate  daring. 

Instead  of  taking  the  path  which  led  directly  towards  the 
camp  of  the  Delawares,  Magua  led  his  party  for  some  distance 
down  the  windings  of  the  stream,  and  along  the  little  artificial 
lake  of  the  beavers.  The  day  began  to  dawn  as  they  entered  the 
clearing  which  had  been  formed  by  those  sagacious  and  industri 
ous  animals.  Though  Magua,  who  had  resumed  his  ancient  garb, 
bore  the  outline  of  a  fox  on  the  dressed  skin  which  formed  his 
robe,  there  was  one  chief  of  his  party  who  carried  the  bea.ver  as 
his  peculiar  symbol,  or  "totem."  There  would  have  been  a  spe 
cies  of  profanity  in  the  omission,  had  this  man  passed  so  powerful 
a  community  of  his  fancied  kindred,  without  bestowing  some  evi 
dence  of  his  regard.  Accordingly,  he  paused,  and  spoke  in  words 
as  kind  and  friendly  as  if  he  were  addressing  more  intelligent 
beings.  He  called  the  animals  his  cousins,  and  reminded  them 
that  his  protecting  influence  was  the  reason  they  remained  un 
harmed,  while  so  many  avaricious  traders  were  prompting  the  In 
dians  to  take  their  lives.  He  promised  a  continuance  of  his  favors, 
and  admonished  them  to  be  grateful.  After  which,  he  spoke  of 
the  expedition  in  which  he  was  himself  engaged,  and  intimated, 
though  with  sufficient  delicacy  and  circumlocution,  the  expediency 
of  bestowing  on  their  relative  a  portion  of  that  wisdom  for  which 
they  were  so  renowned.1 

During  the  utterance  of  this  extraordinary  address,  the  com 
panions  of  the  speaker  were  as  grave  and  as  attentive  to  his  lan 
guage  as  though  they  were  all  equally  impressed  with  its  propri 
ety.  Once  or  twice  black  objects  were  seen  rising  to  the  surface 
of  the  water,  and  the  Huron  expressed  pleasure,  conceiving  that 

1  These  harangues  of  the  beasts  are  frequent  among  the  Indians.  They  often  address 
their  victims  in  this  way,  reproaching  them  for  cowardice,  or  commending  their  resolu 
tion,  as  they  may  happen  to  exhibit  fortitude,  or  the  reverse  in  suffering. 


THE    LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  299 

his  words  were  not  bestowed  in  vain.  Just  as  he  had  ended  his 
address,  the  head  of  a  large  beaver  was  thrust  from  the  door  of 
a  lodge,  whose  earthen  walls  had  been  much  injured,  and  which 
the  party  had  believed,  from  its  situation,  to  be  uninhabited.  Such 
an  extraordinary  sign  of  confidence  was  received  by  the  orator  as 
a  highly  favorable  omen ;  and  though  the  animal  retreated  a  little 
precipitately,  he  was  lavish  of  his  thanks  and  commendations. 

When  Magua  thought  sufficient  time  had  been  lost  in  gratify 
ing  the  family  affection  of  the  warrior,  he  again  made  the  signal 
to  proceed.  As  the  Indians  moved  away  in  a  body,  and  with  a 
step  that  would  have  been  inaudible  to  the  ears  of  any  common 
man,  the  same  venerable-looking  beaver  once  more  ventured  his 
head  from  its  cover.  Had  any  of  the  Hurons  turned  to  look  be 
hind  them,  they  would  have  seen  the  animal  watching  their  move 
ments  with  an  interest  and  sagacity  that  might  easily  have  been 
mistaken  for  reason.  Indeed,  so  very  distinct  and  intelligible 
were  the  devices  of  the  quadruped,  that  even  the  most  experienced 
observer  would  have  been  at  a  loss  to  account  for  its  actions,  until 
the  moment  when  the  party  entered  the  forest,  when  the  whole 
would  have  been  explained,  by  seeing  the  entire  animal  issue  from 
the  lodge,  uncasing,  by  the  act,  the  grave  features  of  Chingach- 
gook  from  his  mask  of  fur. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

"Brief,  I  pray  you;  for  you  see,  'tis  a  busy  time  with  me." 

Much  Ado  About  Nothing. 

THE  tribe,  or  rather  half  tribe,  of  Delawares,  which  has  been  so 
often  mentioned,  and  whose  present  place  of  encampment  was  so 
nigh  the  temporary  village  of  the  Hurons,  could  assemble  about 
an  equal  number  of  warriors  with  the  latter  people.  Like  their 
neighbors,  they  had  followed  Montcalm  into  the  territories  of  the 
English  crown,  and  were  making  heavy  and  serious  inroads  on 
the  hunting-grounds  of  the  Mohawks;  though  they  had  seen  fit, 
with  the  mysterious  reserve  so  common  among  the  natives,  to 
withhold  their  assistance  at  the  moment  when  it  was  most  re 
quired.  The  French  had  accounted  for  this  unexpected  defec 
tion  on  the  part  of  their  ally  in  various  ways.  It  was  the 
prevalent  opinion,  however,  that  they  had  been  influenced  by 
veneration  for  the  ancient  treaty,  that  had  once  made  them  de 
pendent  on  the  Six  Nations  for  military  protection,  and  now  ren 
dered  them  reluctant  to  encounter  their  former  masters.  As  for 
the  tribe  itself,  it  had  been  content  to  announce  to  Montcalm, 
through  his  emissaries,  with  Indian  brevity,  that  their  hatchets 
were  dull,  and  time  was  necessary  to  sharpen  them.  The  politic 
captain  of  the  Canadas  had  deemed  it  wiser  to  submit  to  entertain 
a  passive  friend,  than  by  any  acts  of  ill-judged  severity  to  convert 
him  into  an  open  enemy. 

On  that  morning  when  Magua  led  his  silent  party  from  the 
settlement  of  the  beavers  into  the  forest,  in  the  manner  described, 
the  sun  rose  upon  the  Delaware  encampment  as  if  it  had  suddenly 
burst  upon  a  busy  people,  actively  employed  in  all  the  customary 
avocations  of  high  noon.  The  women  ran  from  lodge  to  lodge, 
some  engaged  in  preparing  their  morning's  meal,  a  few  earnestly 
bent  on  seeking  the  comforts  necessary  to  their  habits,  but  more 
pausing  to  exchange  hasty  and  whispered  sentences  with  their 
friends.  The  warriors  were  lounging  in  groups,  musing  more 
than  they  conversed;  and  when  a  few  words  were  uttered,  speak 
ing  like  men  who  deeply  weighed  their  opinions.  The  instru- 

300 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  301 

ments  of  the  chase  were  to  be  seen  in  abundance  among  the 
lodges;  but  none  departed.  Here  and  there  a  warrior  was  ex 
amining  his  arms,  with  an  attention  that  is  rarely  bestowed  on 
the  implements,  when  no  other  enemy  than  the  beasts  of  the  forest 
is  expected  to  be  encountered.  And,  occasionally,  the  eyes  of 
a  whole  group  were  turned  simultaneously  towards  a  large  and 
silent  lodge  in  the  centre  of  the  village,  as  if  it  contained  the  sub 
ject  of  their  common  thoughts. 

During  the  existence  of  this  scene,  a  man  suddenly  appeared 
at  the  farthest  extremity  of  a  platform  of  rock  which  formed  the 
level  of  the  village.  He  was  without  arms,  and  his  paint  tended 
rather  to  soften  than  increase  the  natural  sternness  of  his  austere 
countenance.  When  in  full  view  of  the  Delawares  he  stopped, 
and  made  a  gesture  of  amity,  by  throwing  his  arm  upward 
towards  heaven,  and  then  letting  it  fall  impressively  on  his  breast. 
The  inhabitants  of  the  village  answered  his  salute  by  a  low  mur 
mur  of  welcome,  and  encouraged  him  to  advance  by  similar  indi 
cations  of  friendship.  Fortified  by  these  assurances,  the  dark 
figure  left  the  brow  of  the  natural  rocky  terrace,  where  it  had 
stood  a  moment,  drawn  in  a  strong  outline  against  the  blushing 
morning  sky,  and  moved  with  dignity  into  the  very  centre  of  the 
huts.  As  he  approached,  nothing  was  audible  but  the  rattling  of 
the  light  silver  ornaments  that  loaded  his  arms  and  neck,  and  the 
tinkling  of  the  little  bells  that  fringed  his  deer-skin  moccasins. 
He  made,  as  he  advanced,  many  courteous  signs  of  greeting  to 
the  men  he  passed,  neglecting  to  notice  the  women,  however,  like 
one  who  deemed  their  favor,  in  the  present  interprise,  of  no  im 
portance.  When  he  had  reached  the  group  in  which  it  was  evi 
dent,  by  the  haughtiness  of  their  common  mien,  that  the  principal 
chiefs  were  collected,  the  stranger  paused,  and  then  the  Delawares 
saw  that  the  active  and  erect  form  that  stood  before  them  was 
that  of  the  well-known  Huron  chief,  Le  Renard  Subtil. 

His  reception  was  grave,  silent,  and  wary.  The  warriors  in 
front  stepped  aside,  opening  the  way  to  their  most  approved 
orator  by  the  action;  one  who  spoke  all  those  languages  that  were 
cultivated  among  the  northern  aborigines. 

"The  wise  Huron  is  welcome,"  said  the  Delaware,  in  the  lan 
guage  of  the  Maquas;  "he  is  come  to  eat  his  'succotash,'  1  with  his 
brothers  of  the  lakes." 

i  A  dish  composed  of  cracked  corn  and  beans.     It  is  much  used  also  by  the  whites. 
By  corn  is  meant  maize. 


302  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"He  is  come,"  repeated  Magua,  bending  his  head  with  the 
dignity  of  an  Eastern  prince. 

The  chief  extended  his  arm,  and  taking  the  other  by  the  wrist, 
they  once  more  exchanged  friendly  salutations.  Then  the  Dela 
ware  invited  his  guest  to  enter  his  own  lodge,  and  share  his  morn 
ing  meal.  The  invitation  was  accepted;  and  the  two  warriors, 
attended  by  three  or  four  of  the  old  men,  walked  calmly  away, 
leaving  the  rest  of  the  tribe  devoured  by  a  desire  to  understand 
the  reasons  of  so  unusual  a  visit,  and  yet  not  betraying  the  least 
impatience  by  sign  or  word. 

During  the  short  and  frugal  repast  that  followed,  the  con 
versation  was  extremely  circumspect,  and  related  entirely  to  the 
events  of  the  hunt  in  which  Magua  had  so  lately  been  engaged. 
It  would  have  been  impossible  for  the  most  finished  breeding  to 
wear  more  of  the  appearance  of  considering  the  visit  as  a  matter 
of  course,  than  did  his  hosts,  notwithstanding  every  individual 
present  was  perfectly  aware  that  it  must  be  connected  with  some 
secret  object,  and  that  probably  of  importance  to  themselves. 
When  the  appetites  of  the  whole  were  appeased,  the  squaws  re 
moved  the  trenchers  and  gourd,  and  the  two  parties  began  to  pre 
pare  themselves  for  a  subtle  trial  of  their  wits. 

"Is  the  face  of  my  great  Canada  father  turned  again  towards 
his  Huron  children?"  demanded  the  orator  of  the  Delawares. 

"When  was  it  ever  otherwise?"  returned  Magua.  "He  calls 
my  people  'most  beloved.' ' 

The  Delaware  gravely  bowed  his  acquiescence  to  what  he 
knew  to  be  false,  and  continued,— 

"The  tomahawks  of  your  young  men  have  been  very  red." 

"It  is  so;  but  they  are  now  bright  and  dull;  for  the  Yengeese 
are  dead,  and  the  Delawares  are  our  neighbors." 

The  other  acknowledged  the  pacific  compliment  by  a  gesture 
of  the  hand,  and  remained  silent.  Then  Magua,  as  if  recalled  to 
such  a  recollection,  by  the  allusion  to  the  massacre,  demanded,— 

"Does  my  prisoner  give  trouble  to  my  brothers?" 

"She  is  welcome." 

"The  path  between  the  Hurons  and  the  Delawares  is  short, 
and  it  is  open ;  let  her  be  sent  to  my  squaws,  if  she  gives  trouble 
to  my  brother." 

"She  is  welcome,"  returned  the  chief  of  the  latter  nation,  still 
more  emphatically. 

The  baffled  Magua  continued  silent  several  minutes,  appar- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  303 

ently  indifferent,  however,  to  the  repulse  he  had  received  in  this 
his  open  effort  to  gain  possession  of  Cora. 

"Do  my  young  men  leave  the  Delawares  room  on  the  moun 
tains  for  their  hunts?"  he  at  length  continued. 

"The  Lenape  are  rulers  of  their  own  hills,"  returned  the 
other,  a  little  haughtily. 

"It  is  well.  Justice  is  the  master  of  a  redskin!  Why  should 
thefr  brighten  their  tomahawks,  and  sharpen  their  knives  against 
each  other  ?  Are  not  the  pale-faces  thicker  than  the  swallows  in 
the  season  of  flowers?" 

"Good!"  exclaimed  two  or  three  of  his  auditors  at  the  same 
time. 

Magua  waited  a  little,  to  permit  his  words  to  soften  the  feel 
ings  of  the  Delawares,  before  he  added,— 

"Have  there  not  been  strange  moccasins  in  the  woods?  Have 
not  my  brothers  scented  the  feet  of  white  men?" 

"Let  my  Canada  father  come,"  returned  the  other  evasively; 
"his  children  are  ready  to  see  him." 

"When  the  great  chief  comes,  it  is  to  smoke  with  the  Indians 
in  their  wigwams.  The  Hurons  say,  too,  he  is  welcome.  But 
the  Yengeese  have  long  arms,  and  legs  that  never  tire!  My 
young  men  dreamed  they  had  seen  the  trail  of  the  Yengeese  nigh 
the  village  of  the  Delawares?" 

"They  will  not  find  the  Lenape  asleep." 

"It  is  well.  The  warrior  whose  eye  is  open  can  see  his  en 
emy,"  said  Magua,  once  more  shifting  his  ground,  when  he  found 
himself  unable  to  penetrate  the  caution  of  his  companion.  "I 
have  brought  gifts  to  my  brother.  His  nation  would  not  go  on 
the  war-path  because  they  did  not  think  it  well;  but  their  friends 
have  remembered  where  they  lived." 

When  he  had  thus  announced  his  liberal  intention,  the  crafty 
chief  arose,  and  gravely  spread  his  presents  before  the  dazzled 
eyes  of  his  hosts.  They  consisted  principally  of  trinkets  of  little 
value,  plundered  from  the  slaughtered  females  of  William  Henry. 
In  the  division  of  the  baubles  the  cunning  Huron  discovered  no 
less  art  than  in  their  selection.  While  he  bestowed  those  of 
greater  value  on  the  two  most  distinguished  warriors,  one  of 
whom  was  his  host,  he  seasoned  his  offerings  to  their  inferiors  with 
such  well-timed  and  apposite  compliments,  as  left  them  no 
grounds  of  complaint.  In  short,  the  whole  ceremony  contained 
such  a  happy  blending  of  the  profitable  with  the  flattering,  that 


304  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

it  was  not  difficult  for  the  donor  immediately  to  read  the  effect  of 
a  generosity  so  aptly  mingled  with  praise,  in  the  eyes  of  those  he 
addressed. 

This  well-judged  and  politic  stroke  on  the  part  of  Magua  was 
not  without  instantaneous  results.  The  Delawares  lost  their 
gravity  in  a  much  more  cordial  expression;  and  the  host,  in  par 
ticular,  after  contemplating  his  own  liberal  share  of  the  spoil  for 
some  moments  with  peculiar  gratification,  repeated  with  strong 
emphasis,  the  words,-— 

"My  brother  is  a  wise  chief.     He  is  welcome!" 

"The  Hurons  love  their  friends  the  .Delawares,"  returned 
Magua.  "Why  should  they  not?  they  .are  colored  by  the  same 
sun,  and  their  just  men  will  hunt  in  the  same  grounds  after  death. 
The  redskins  should  be  friends,  and  look  with  open  eyes  on  the 
white  men.  Has  not  my  brother  scented  spies  in  the  woods?" 

The  Delaware,  whose  name  in  English  signified  "Hard 
Heart,"  an  appellation  that  the  French  had  translated  into  "Le 
Cceur-dur,"  forgot  the  obduracy  of  purpose,  which  had  probably 
obtained  him  so  significant  a  title.  His  countenance  grew  very 
sensibly  less  stern,  and  now  deigned  to  answer  more  directly. 

"There  have  been  strange  moccasins  about  my  camp.  They 
have  been  tracked  into  my  lodges." 

"Did  my  brother  beat  out  the  dogs?"  asked  Magua,  without 
adverting  in  any  manner  to  the  former  equivocation  of  the 
chief. 

"It  would  not  do.  The  stranger  is  always  welcome  to  the 
children  of  the  Lenape." 

"The  stranger,  but  not  the  spy." 

"Would  the  Yengeese  send  their  women  as  spies?  Did  not 
the  Huron  chief  say  he  took  women  in  the  battle?" 

"He  told  no  lie.  The  Yengeese  have  sent  out  their  scouts. 
They  have  been  in  my  wigwams,  but  they  found  there  no  one  to 
say  welcome.  Then  they  fled  to  the  Delawares — for,  say  they, 
the  Delawares  are  our  friends ;  their  minds  are  turned  from  their 
Canada  father!" 

This  insinuation  was  a  home  thrust,  and  one  that  in  a  more 
advanced  state  of  society,  would  have  entitled  Magua  to  the  repu 
tation  of  a  skilful  diplomatist.  The  recent  defection  of  the  tribe 
had,  as  they  well  knew  themselves,  subjected  the  Delawares  to 
much  reproach  among  their  French  allies;  and  they  were  now 
made  to  feel  that  their  future  actions  were  to  be  regarded  with 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  305 

jealousy  and  distrust.  There  was  no  deep  insight  into  causes 
and  effects  necessary  to  foresee  that  such  a  situation  of  things  was 
likely  to  prove  highly  prejudicial  to  their  future  movements. 
Their  distant  villages,  their  hunting-grounds,  and  hundreds  of 
their  women  and  children,  together  with  a  material  part  of 
their  physical  force,  were  actually  within  the  limits  of  the  French 
territory.  Accordingly,  this  alarming  annunciation  was  received, 
as  Magua  intended,  with  manifest  disapprobation,  if  not  with 
alarm. 

"Let  my  father  look  in  my  face,"  said  Le  Coeur-dur;  "he  will 
see  no  change.  It  is  true,  my  young  men  did  not  go  out  on  the 
war-path ;  they  had  dreams  for  not  doing  so.  But  they  love  and 
venerate  the  great  white  chief." 

"Will  he  think  so  when  he  hears  that  his  greatest  enemy  is  fed 
in  the  camp  of  his  children?  When  he  is  told  a  bloody  Yengee 
smokes  at  your  fire?  That  the  pale-face  who  has  slain  so  many 
of  his  friends  goes  in  and  out  among  the  Delawares?  Go!  my 
great  Canada  father  is  not  a  fool!" 

"Where  is  the  Yengee  that  the  Delawares  fear?"  returned  the 
other;  "who  has  slain  my  young  men?  who  is  the  mortal  enemy 
of  my  Great  Father!" 

"La  Longue  Carabine." 

The  Delaware  warriors  started  at  the  well-known  name,  be 
traying,  by  their  amazement,  that  they  now  learnt,  for  the  first 
time,  one  so  famous  among  the  Indian  allies  of  France  was  within 
their  power. 

"What  does  my  brother  mean?"  demanded  Le  Coeur-dur,  in  a 
tone  that,  by  its  wonder,  far  exceeded  the  usual  apathy  of  his 
race. 

"A  Huron  never  lies!"  returned  Magua  coldly,  leaning  his 
head  against  the  side  of  the  lodge,  and  drawing  his  slight  robe 
across  his  tawny  breast.  "Let  the  Delawares  count  their  pris 
oners  ;  they  will  find  one  whose  skin  is  neither  red  nor  pale." 

A  long  and  musing  pause  succeeded.  The  chief  consulted 
apart  with  his  companions,  and  messengers  were  despatched  to 
collect  certain  others  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  the  tribe. 

As  warrior  after  warrior  dropped  in,  they  were  each  made  ac 
quainted,  in  turn,  with  the  important  intelligence  that  Magua  had 
just  communicated.  The  air  of  surprise,  and  the  usual  low,  deep, 
guttural  exclamation,  were  common  to  them  all.  The  news 
spread  from  mouth  to  mouth,  until  the  whole  encampment  be- 


306  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

came  powerfully  agitated.  The  women  suspended  their  labors, 
to  catch  such  syllables  as  unguardedly  fell  from  the  lips  of  the 
consulting  warriors.  The  boys  deserted  their  sports,  and  walk 
ing  fearlessly  among  their  fathers,  looked  up  in  curious  admira 
tion,  as  they  heard  the  brief  exclamations  of  wonder  they  so  freely 
expressed  at  the  temerity  of  their  hated  foe.  In  short,  every 
occupation  was  abandoned  for  the  time,  and  all  other  pursuits 
seemed  discarded,  in  order  that  the  tribe  might  freely  indulge, 
after  their  own  peculiar  manner,  in  an  open  expression  of  feeling. 

When  the  excitement  had  a. little  abated,  the  old  men  disposed 
themselves  seriously  to  consider  that  which  it  became  the  honor 
and  safety  of  their  tribe  to  perform,  under  circumstances  of  so 
much  delicacy  and  embarrassment.  During  all  these  movements, 
and  in  the  midst  of  the  general  commotion,  Magua  had  not  only 
maintained  his  seat,  but  the  very  attitude  he  had  originally  taken, 
against  the  side  of  the  lodge,  where  he  continued  as  immovable, 
and,  apparently,  as  unconcerned,  as  if  he  had  no  interest  in  the 
result.  Not  a  single  indication  of  the  future  intentions  of  his 
hosts,  however,  escaped  his  vigilant  eyes.  With  his  consummate 
knowledge  of  the  nature  of  the  people  with  whom  he  had  to  deal, 
he  anticipated  every  measure  on  which  they  decided ;  and  it  might 
almost  be  said,  that,  in  many  instances,  he  knew  their  intentions, 
even  before  they  became  known  to  themselves. 

The  council  of  the  Delawares  was  short.  When  it  was  ended, 
a  general  bustle  announced  that  it  was  to  be  immediately  suc 
ceeded  by  a  solemn  and  formal  assemblage  of  the  nation.  As 
such  meetings  were  rare,  and  only  called  on  occasions  of  the  last 
importance,  the  subtle  Huron,  who  still  sat  apart,  a  wily  and  dark 
observer  of  the  proceedings,  now  knew  that  all  his  projects  must 
be  brought  to  their  final  issue.  He  therefore  left  the  lodge,  and 
walked  silently  forth  to  the  place  in  front  of  the  encampment 
whither  the  warriors  were  already  beginning  to  collect. 

It  might  have  been  half  an  hour  before  each  individual,  in 
cluding  even  the  women  and  children,  was  in  his  place.  The 
delay  had  been  created  by  the  grave  preparations  that  were 
deemed  necessary  to  so  solemn  and  unusual  a  conference.  But 
when  the  sun  was  seen  climbing  above  the  tops  of  that  mountain 
against  whose  bosom  the  Delawares  had  constructed  their  en 
campment,  most  were  seated ;  and  as  his  bright  rays  darted  from 
behind  the  outline  of  trees  that  fringed  the  eminence,  they  fell 
upon  as  grave,  as  attentive,  and  as  deeply  interested  a  multitude, 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  307 

as  was  probably  ever  before  lighted  by  his  morning  beams.  Its 
number  somewhat  exceeded  a  thousand  souls. 

In  a  collection  of  such  serious  savages,  there  is  never  to  be 
found  any  impatient  aspirant  after  premature  distinction,  stand 
ing  ready  to  move  his  auditors  to  some  hasty,  and,  perhaps,  inju 
dicious  discussion,  in  order  that  his  own  reputation  may  be  the 
gainer.  An  act  of  so  much  precipitancy  and  presumption  would 
seal  the  downfall  of  precocious  intellect  forever".  It  rested  solely 
with  the  oldest  and  most  experienced  of  the  men  to  lay  the  subject 
of  the  conference  before  the  people.  Until  such  a  one  chose  to 
make  some  movement,  no  deeds  in  arms,  no  natural  gifts,  nor  any 
renown  as  an  orator,  would  have  justified  the  slightest  interrup 
tion.  On  the  present  occasion,  the  aged  warrior  whose  privilege 
it  was  to  speak,  was  silent,  seemingly  oppressed  with  the  mag 
nitude  of  his  subject.  The  delay  had  already  continued  long 
beyond  the  usual  deliberative  pause  that  always  precedes  a  con 
ference;  but  no  sign  of  impatience  or  surprise  escaped  even  the 
youngest  boy.  Occasionally,  an  eye  was  raised  from  the  earth, 
where  the  looks  of  most  were  riveted,  and  strayed  towards  a  par 
ticular  lodge,  that  was,  however,  in  no  manner  distinguished  from 
those  around  it,  except  in  the  peculiar  care  that  had  been  taken  to 
protect  it  against  the  assaults  of  the  weather. 

At  length,  one  of  those  low  murmurs  that  are  so  apt  to  dis 
turb  a  multitude,  was  heard,  and  the  whole  nation  arose  to  their 
feet  by  a  common  impulse.  At  that  the  door  of  the  lodge  in 
question  opened,  and  three  men,  issuing  from  it,  slowly  ap 
proached  the  place  of  consultation.  They  were  all  aged,  even 
beyond  that  period  to  which  the  oldest  present  had  reached ;  but 
one  in  the  centre,  who  leaned  on  his  companions  for  support,  had 
numbered  an  amount  of  years  to  which  the  human  race  is  seldom 
permitted  to  attain.  His  frame,  which  had  once  been  tall  and 
erect,  like  the  cedar,  was  now  bending  under  the  pressure  of  more 
than  a  century.  The  elastic,  light  step  of  an  Indian  was  gone, 
and  in  its  place  he  was  compelled  to  toil  his  tardy  way  over  the 
ground,  inch  by  inch.  His  dark,  wrinkled  countenance  was  in 
singular  and  wild  contrast  with  the  long  white  locks  which  floated 
on  his  shoulders  in  such  thickness  as  to  announce  that  generations 
had  probably  passed  away  since  they  had  last  been  shorn. 

The  dress  of  this  patriarch — for  such,  considering  his  vast 
age,  in  conjunction  with  his  affinity  and  influence  with  his  people, 
he  might  very  properly  be  termed — was  rich  and  imposing,  though 


308  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

strictly  after  the  simple  fashions  of  the  tribe.  His  robe  was  of 
the  finest  skins,  which  had  been  deprived  of  their  fur,  in  order 
to  admit  of  a  hieroglyphical  representation  of  various  deeds 
in  arms,  done  in  former  ages.  His  bosom  was  loaded  with 
medals,  some  in  massive  silver,  and  one  or  two  even  in  gold, 
the  gifts  of  various  Christian  potentates  during  the  long  period 
of  his  life.  He  also  wore  armlets,  and  cinctures  above  the 
ankles,  of  the  latter  precious  metal.  His  head,  on  the  whole  of 
which  the  hair  had  been  permitted  to  grow,  the  pursuits  of  war 
having  so  long  been  abandoned,  was  encircled  by  a  sort  of  plated 
diadem,  which,  in  its  turn,  bore  lesser  and  more  glittering  orna 
ments,  that  sparkled  amid  the  glossy  hues  of  three  drooping 
ostrich  feathers,  dyed  a  deep  black,  in  touching  contrast  to  the 
color  of  his  snow-white  locks.  His  tomahawk  was  nearly  hid  in 
silver,  and  the  handle  of  his  knife  shone  like  a  horn  of  solid  gold. 

So  soon  as  the  first  hum  of  emotion  and  pleasure,  which  the 
sudden  appearance  of  this  venerated  individual  created,  had  a 
little  subsided,  the  name  of  "Tamenund"  was  whispered  from 
mouth  to  mouth.  Magua  had  often  heard  the  fame  of  this  wise 
and  just  Delaware;  a  reputation  that  even  proceeded  so  far  as 
to  bestow  on  him  the  rare  gift  of  holding  secret  communion  with 
the  Great  Spirit,  and  which  has  since  transmitted  his  name,  with 
some  slight  alteration,  to  the  white  usurpers  of  his  ancient  ter 
ritory,  as  the  imaginary  tutelar  saint  of  a  vast  empire.  The 
Huron  chief,  therefore,  stepped  eagerly  out  a  little  from  the 
throng,  to  a  spot  whence  he  might  catch  a  nearer  glimpse  of  the 
features  of  the  man,  whose  decision  was  likely  to  produce  so  deep 
an  influence  on  his  own  fortunes. 

The  eyes  of  the  old  man  were  closed,  as  though  the  organs 
were  wearied  with  having  so  long  witnessed  the  selfish  workings 
of  the  human  passions.  The  color  of  his  skin  differed  from  that 
of  most  around  him,  being  richer  and  darker,  the  latter  hue  hav 
ing  been  produced  by  certain  delicate  and  mazy  lines  of  compli 
cated  and  yet  beautiful  figures,  which  had  been  traced  over  most 
of  his  person  by  the  operation  of  tattooing.  Notwithstanding 
the  position  of  the  Huron,  he  passed  the  observant  and  silent 
Magua  without  notice,  and  leaning  on  his  two  venerable  sup 
porters  proceeded  to  the  high  place  of  the  multitude,  where  he 
seated  himself  in  the  centre  of  his  nation,  with  the  dignity  of  a 
monarch  and  the  air  of  a  father. 

Nothing  could  surpass  the  reverence  and  affection  with  which 


THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  309 

this  unexpected  visit  from  one  who  belonged  rather  to  another 
world  than  to  this,  was  received  by  his  people.  After  a  suitable 
and  decent  pause,  the  principal  chiefs  arose;  and  approaching 
the  patriarch,  they  placed  his  hands  reverently  on  their  heads, 
seeming  to  entreat  a  blessing.  The  younger  men  were  content 
with  touching  his  robe,  or  even  drawing  nigh  his  person,  in  order 
to  breathe  in  the  atmosphere  of  one  so  aged,  so  just,  and  so  val 
iant.  None  but  the  most  distinguished  among  the  youthful  war 
riors  even  presumed  so  far  as  to  perform  the  latter  ceremony;  the 
great  mass  of  the  multitude  deeming  it  a  sufficient  happiness  to 
look  upon  a  form  so  deeply  venerated,  and  so  well  beloved. 
When  these  acts  of  affection  and  respect  were  performed,  the 
chiefs  drew  back  again  to  their  several  places,  and  silence  reigned 
in  the  whole  encampment. 

After  a  short  delay,  a  few  of  the  young  men,  to  whom  instruc 
tions  had  been  whispered  by  one  of  the  aged  attendants  of  Tam- 
enund,  arose,  left  the  crowd,  and  entered  the  lodge  which  has 
already  been  noted  as  the  object  of  so  much  attention  throughout 
that  morning.  In  a  few  minutes  they  reappeared,  escorting  the 
individuals  who  had  caused  all  these  solemn  preparations  towards 
the  seat  of  judgment.  The  crowd  opened  in  a  lane;  and  when 
the  party  had  reentered,  it  closed  in  again,  forming  a  large  and 
dense  belt  of  human  bodies,  arranged  in  an  open  circle. 


CHAPTER   XXIX 

"The  assembly  seated,   rising  o'er  the  rest, 
Achilles  thus  the  king  of  men  addressed." 

POPE'S  Iliad. 

CORA  stood  foremost  among  the  prisoners,  entwining  her  arms 
in  those  of  Alice,  in  the  tenderness  of  sisterly  love.  Notwith 
standing  the  fearful  and  menacing  array  of  savages  on  every 
side  of  her,  no  apprehension  on  her  own  account  could  prevent 
the  noble-minded  maiden  from  keeping  her  eyes  fastened  on  the 
pale  and  anxious  features  of  the  trembling  Alice.  Close  at  their 
side  stood  Heyward,  with  an  interest  in  both,  that,  at  such  a 
moment  of  intense  uncertainty,  scarcely  knew  a  preponderance 
in  favor  of  her  whom  he  most  loved.  Hawkeye  had  placed  him 
self  a  little  in  the  rear,  with  a  deference  to  the  superior  rank  of 
his  companions,  that  no  similarity  in  the  state  of  their  present 
fortunes  could  induce  him  to  forget.  Uncas  was  not  there. 

When  perfect  silence  was  again  restored,  and  after  the  usual 
long,  impressive  pause,  one  of  the  two  aged  chiefs  who  sat  at  the 
side  of  the  patriarch  arose,  and  demanded  aloud,  in  very  intelli 
gible  English,— 

"Which  of  my  prisoners  is  La  Longue  Carabine?" 
Neither  Duncan  nor  the  scout  answered.  The  former,  how 
ever,  glanced  his  eyes  around  the  dark  and  silent  assembly,  and 
recoiled  a  pace,  when  they  fell  on  the  malignant  visage  of  Magua. 
He  saw,  at  once,  that  this  wily  savage  had  some  secret  agency  in 
their  present  arraignment  before  the  nation,  and  determined  to 
throw  every  possible  impediment  in  the  way  of  the  execution  of 
his  sinister  plans.  He  had  witnessed  one  instance  of  the  sum 
mary  punishments  of  the  Indians,  and  now  dreaded  that  his  com 
panion  was  to  be  selected  for  a  second.  In  this  dilemma,  with 
little  or  no  time  for  reflection,  he  suddenly  determined  to  cloak 
his  invaluable  friend,  at  any  or  every  hazard  to  himself.  Before 
he  had  time,  however,  to  speak,  the  question  was  repeated  in  a 
louder  voice,  and  with  a  clearer  utterance. 

310 


THE    LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS  311 

"Give  us  arms,"  the  young  man  haughtily  replied,  "and  place 
us  in  yonder  woods.  Our  deeds  shall  speak  for  us!" 

"This  is  the  warrior  whose  name  has  filled  our  ears!"  returned 
the  chief,  regarding  Heyward  with  that  sort  of  curious  interest 
which  seems  inseparable  from  man,  when  first  beholding  one  of 
his  fellows  to  whom  merit  or  accident,  virtue  or  crime,  has  given 
notoriety.  "What  has  brought  the  white  man  into  the  camp  of 
the  Delawares?" 

"My  necessities.     I  come  for  food,  shelter  and  friends." 

"It  cannot  be.  The  woods  are  full  of  game.  The  head  of 
a  warrior  needs  no  other  shelter  than  a  sky  without  clouds;  and 
the  Delawares  are  the  enemies,  and  not  the  friends,  of  the  Yen- 
geese.  Go!  the  mouth  has  spoken,  while  the  heart  said  nothing." 

Duncan,  a  little  at  a  loss  in  what  manner  to  proceed,  remained 
silent;  but  the  scout,  who  had  listened  attentively  to  all  that 
passed,  now  advanced  steadily  to  the  front. 

"That  I  did  not  answer  to  the  call  for  La  Longue  Carabine, 
was  not  owing  either  to  shame  or  fear,"  he  said ;  "for  neither  one 
nor  the  other  is  the  gift  of  an  honest  man.  But  I  do  not  admit 
the  right  of  the  Mingos  to  bestow  a  name  on  one  whose  friends 
have  been  mindful  of  his  gifts,  in  this  particular;  especially  as 
their  title  is  a  lie,  'Killdeer'  being  a  grooved  barrel  and  no 
carab?/ne.  I  am  the  man,  however,  that  got  the  name  of  Na 
thaniel  from  my  kin;  the  compliment  of  Hawkeye  from  the  Dela 
wares,  who  live  on  their  own  river;  and  whom  the  Iroquois  have 
presumed  to  style  the  'Long  Rifle,'  without  any  warranty  from 
him  who  is  most  concerned  in  the  matter." 

The  eyes  of  all  present,  which  had  hitherto  been  gravely  scan 
ning  the  person  of  Duncan,  were  now  turned,  on  the  instant, 
towards  the  upright  iron  frame  of  this  new  pretender  to  the  dis 
tinguished  appellation.  It  was  in  no  degree  remarkable  that 
there  should  be  found  two  who  were  willing  to  claim  so  great 
an  honor,  for  impostors,  though  rare,  were  not  unknown  amongst 
the  natives;  but  it  was  altogether  material  to  the  just  and  severe 
intentions  of  the  Delawares,  that  there  should  be  no  mistake  in 
the  matter.  Some  of  their  old  men  consulted  together  in  private, 
and  then,  as  it  would  seem,  they  determined  to  interrogate  their 
visitor  on  the  subject. 

"My  brother  has  said  that  a  snake  crept  into  my  camp,"  said 
the  chief  to  Magua;  "which  is  he?" 

The  Huron  pointed  to  the  scout. 


312  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Will  a  wise  Delaware  believe  the  barking  of  a  wolf?"  ex 
claimed  Duncan,  still  more  confirmed  in  the  evil  intentions  of  his 
ancient  enemy:  "a  dog  never  lies,  but  when  was  a  wolf  known  to 
speak  the  truth?" 

The  eyes  of  Magua  flashed  fire;  but,  suddenly  recollecting  the 
necessity  of  maintaining  his  presence  of  mind,  he  turned  away 
in  silent  disdain,  well  assured  that  the  sagacity  of  the  Indians 
would  not  fail  to  extract  the  real  merits  of  the  point  in  con 
troversy.  He  was  not  deceived ;  for,  after  another  short  consul 
tation,  the  wary  Delaware  turned  to  him  again,  and  expressed 
the  determination  of  the  chiefs,  though  in  the  most  considerate 
language. 

"My  brother  has  been  called  a  liar,"  he  said,  "and  his  friends 
are  angry.  They  will  show  that  he  has  spoken  the  truth.  Give 
my  prisoners  guns,  and  let  them  prove  which  is  the  man." 

Magua  affected  to  consider  the  expedient,  which  he  well  knew 
proceeded  from  distrust  of  himself,  as  a  compliment,  and  made  a 
gesture  of  acquiescence,  well  content  that  his  veracity  should  be 
supported  by  so  skilful  a  marksman  as  the  scout.  The  weapons 
were  instantly  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  friendly  opponents,  and 
they  were  bid  to  fire  over  the  heads  of  the  seated  multitude  at  an 
earthen  vessel,  which  lay,  by  accident,  on  a  stump  some  fifty  yards 
from  the  place  where  they  stood. 

Heyward  smiled  to  himself  at  the  idea  of  a  competition  with 
the  scout,  though  he  determined  to  persevere  in  the  deception, 
until  apprised  of  the  real  designs  of  Magua.  Raising  his  rifle 
with  the  utmost  care,  and  renewing  his  aim  three  several  times, 
he  fired.  The  bullet  cut  the  wood  within  a  few  inches  of  the 
vessel;  and  a  general  exclamation  of  satisfaction  announced  that 
the  shot  was  considered  a  proof  of  great  skill  in  the  use  of  the 
weapon.  Even  Hawkeye  nodded  his  head,  as  if  he  would  say, 
it  was  better  than  he  had  expected.  But,  instead  of  manifesting 
an  intention  to  contend  with  the  successful  marksman,  he  stood 
leaning  on  his  rifle  for  more  than  a  minute,  like  a  man  who  was 
completely  buried  in  thought.  From  this  reverie  he  was,  how 
ever,  awakened  by  one  of  the  young  Indians  who  had  furnished 
the  arms,  and  who  now  touched  his  shoulder,  saying,  in  exceed 
ingly  broken  English, — 

"Can  the  pale-face  beat  it?" 

"•Yes,  Huron!"  exclaimed  the  scout,  raising  the  short  rifle  in 
his  right  hand,  and  shaking  it  at  Magua,  with  as  much  apparent 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  313 

ease  as  if  it  were  a  reed;  "yes,  Huron,  I  could  strike  you  now,  and 
no  power  of  earth  could  prevent  the  deed !  The  soaring  hawk  is 
not  more  certain  of  the  dove  than  I  am  this  moment  of  you,  did 
I  choose  to  send  a  bullet  to  your  heart!  Why  should  I  not? 
Why ! — because  the  gifts  of  my  color  forbid  it,  and  I  might  draw 
down  evil  on  tender  and  innocent  heads.  If  you  know  such  a 
being  as  God,  thank  Him,  therefore,  in  your  inward  soul;  for  you 
have  reason." 

The  flushed  countenance,  angry  eye,  and  swelling  figure  of 
the  scout,  produced  a  sensation  of  secret  awe  in  all  that  heard 
him.  The  Delawares  held  their  breath  in  expectation ;  but 
Magua  himself,  even  while  he  distrusted  the  forbearance  of  his 
enemy,  remained  immovable  and  calm,  where  he  stood  wedged 
in  by  the  crowd,  as  one  who  grew  to  the  spot. 

"Beat  it,"  replied  the  young  Delaware  at  the  elbow  of  the 
scout. 

"Beat  what,  fool! — what!"  exclaimed  Hawkeye,  still  flourish 
ing  the  weapon  angrily  above  his  head,  though  his  eye  no  longer 
sought  the  person  of  Magua. 

"If  the  white  man  is  the  warrior  he  pretends,"  said  the  aged 
chief,  "let  him  strike  nigher  to  the  mark." 

The  scout  laughed  aloud— a  noise  that  produced  the  startling 
effect  of  an  unnatural  sound  on  Heyward;  then  dropping  the 
piece  heavily  into  his  extended  left  hand,  it  was  discharged,  ap 
parently  by  the  shock,  driving  the  fragments  of  the  vessel  into 
the  air,  and  scattering  them  on  every  side.  Almost  at  the  same 
instant,  the  rattling  sound  of  the  rifle  was  heard,  as  he  suffered  it 
to  fall,  contemptuously,  to  the  earth. 

The  first  impression  of  so  strange  a  scene  was  engrossing 
admiration.  Then  a  low,  but  increasing  murmur,  ran  through 
the  multitude,  and  finally  swelled  into  sounds  that  denoted  a  lively 
opposition  in  the  sentiments  of  the  spectators.  While  some 
openly  testified  their  satisfaction  at  so  unexampled  dexterity,  by 
far  the  larger  portion  of  the  tribe  were  inclined  to  believe  the 
success  of  the  shot  was  the  result  of  accident.  Heyward  was  not 
slow  to  confirm  an  opinion  that  was  so  favorable  to  his  own 
pretentions. 

"It  was  chance!"  he  exclaimed;  "none  can  shoot  without  an 
aim!" 

"Chance!"  echoed  the  excited  woodsman,  who  was  now  stub 
bornly  bent  on  maintaining  his  identity  at  every  hazard,  and  on 


314  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

whom  the  secret  hints  of  Heyward  to  acquiesce  in  the  deception 
were  entirely  lost.  "Does  yonder  lying  Huron,  too,  think  it 
chance?  Give  him  another  gun,  and  place  us  face  to  face,  with 
out  cover  or  dodge,  and  let  Providence,  and  our  own  eyes,  decide 
the  matter  atween  us!  I  do  not  make  the  offer  to  you,  major; 
for  our  blood  is  of  a  color,  and  we  serve  the  same  master." 

"That  the  Huron  is  a  liar,  is  very  evident,"  returned  Hey 
ward,  coolly;  "you  have  yourself  heard  him  assert  you  to  be  La 
Longue  Carabine." 

It  were  impossible  to  say  what  violent  assertion  the  stubborn 
Hawkeye  would  have  next  made,  in  his  headlong  wish  to  vindi 
cate  his  identity,  had  not  the  aged  Delaware  once  more  inter 
posed. 

"The  hawk  which  comes  from  the  clouds  can  return  when  he 
will,"  he  said;  "give  them  the  guns." 

This  time  the  scout  seized  the  rifle  with  avidity;  nor  had 
Magua,  though  he  watched  the  movement  of  the  marksman  with 
jealous  eyes,  any  further  cause  for  apprehension. 

"Now  let  it  be  proved,  in  the  face  of  this  tribe  of  Delawares, 
which  is  the  better  man,"  cried  the  scout,  tapping  the  butt  of  his 
piece  with  that  finger  which  had  pulled  so  many  fatal  triggers. 
"You  see  the  gourd  hanging  against  yonder  tree,  major;  if  you 
are  a  marksman  fit  for  the  borders,  let  me  see  you  break  its 
shell!" 

Duncan  noted  the  object,  and  prepared  himself  to  renew  the 
trial.  The  gourd  was  one  of  the  usual  little  vessels  used  by  the 
Indians,  and  it  was  suspended  from  a  dead  branch  of  a  small  pine, 
by  a  thong  of  deer-skin,  at  the  full  distance  of  a  hundred  yards. 
So  strangely  compounded  is  the  feeling  of  self-love,  that  the 
young  soldier,  while  he  knew  the  utter  worthlessness  of  the  suf 
frages  of  his  savage  umpires,  forgot  the  sudden  motives  of  the 
contest  in  a  wish  to  excel.  It  has  been  seen,  already,  that  his  skill 
was  far  from  being  contemptible,  and  he  now  resolved  to  put 
forth  its  nicest  qualities.  Had  his  life  depended  on  the  issue,  the 
aim  of  Duncan  could  not  have  been  more  deliberate  or  guarded. 
He  fired ;  and  three  or  four  young  Indians,  who  sprang  forward 
at  the  report,  announced  with  a  shout,  that  the  ball  was  in  the 
tree,  a  very  little  on  one  side  of  the  proper  object.  The  warriors 
uttered  a  common  ejaculation  of  pleasure,  and  then  turned  their 
eyes  inquiringly  on  the  movements  of  his  rival. 

"It  may  do  for  the  Royal  Americans!"  said  Hawkeye,  laugh- 


THE    LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  315 

ing  once  more  in  his  own  silent,  heartfelt  manner;  "but  had  my 
gun  often  turned  so  much  from  the  true  line,  many  a  marten, 
whose  skin  is  now  in  a  lady's  muff,  would  still  be  in  the  woods ;  ay, 
and  many  a  bloody  Mingo,  who  has  departed  to  his  final  account, 
would  be  acting  his  deviltries  at  this  very  day,  atween  the  prov 
inces.  I  hope  the  squaw  who  owns  the  gourd  has  more  of  them 
in  her  wigwam,  for  this  will  never  hold  water  again!" 

The  scout  had  shook  his  priming,  and  cocked  his  piece,  while 
speaking;  and,  as  he  ended,  he  threw  back  a  foot,  and  slowly 
raised  the  muzzle  from  the  earth:  the  motion  was  steady,  uniform, 
and  in  one  direction.  When  on  a  perfect  level,  it  remained  for  a 
single  moment,  without  tremor  or  variation,  as  though  both  man 
and  rifle  were  carved  in  stone.  During  that  stationary  instant,  it 
poured  forth  its  contents,  in  a  bright,  glancing  sheet  of  flame. 
Again  the  young  Indians  bounded  forward;  but  their  hurried 
search  and  disappointed  looks  announced  that  no  traces  of  the 
bullet  were  to  be  seen. 

"Go!"  said  the  old  chief  to  the  scout,  in  a  tone  of  strong  dis 
gust;  "thou  art  a  wolf  in  the  skin  of  a  dog.  I  will  talk  to  the 
'Long  Rifle'  of  the  Yengeese." 

"Ah!  had  I  that  piece  which  furnished  the  name  you  use,  I 
would  obligate  myself  to  cut  the  thong,  and  drop  the  gourd  with 
out  breaking  it!"  returned  Hawkeye,  perfectly  undisturbed  by 
the  other's  manner.  "Fools,  if  you  would  find  the  bullet  of  a 
sharpshooter  of  these  woods,  you  must  look  in  the  object  and  not 
around  it!" 

The  Indian  youths  instantly  comprehended  his  meaning — 
for  this  time  he  spoke  in  the  Delaware  tongue — and  tearing  the 
gourd  from  the  tree,  they  held  it  on  high  with  an  exulting  shout, 
displaying  a  hole  in  its  bottom,  which  had  been  cut  by  the  bullet, 
after  passing  through  the  usual  orifice  in  the  centre  of  its  upper 
side.  At  this  unexpected  exhibition,  a  loud  and  vehement  ex 
pression  of  pleasure  burst  from  the  mouth  of  every  warrior  pres 
ent.  It  decided  the  question,  and  effectually  established  Hawk- 
eye  in  the  possession  of  his  dangerous  reputation.  Those  curious 
and  admiring  eyes  which  had  been  turned  again  on  Heyward, 
were  finally  directed  to  the  weather-beaten  form  of  the  scout,  who 
immediately  became  the  principal  object  of  attention  to  the 
simple  and  unsophisticated  beings  by  whom  he  was  surrounded. 
When  the  sudden  and  noisy  commotion  had  a  little  subsided,  the 
aged  chief  resumed  his  examination. 


316  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Why  did  you  wish  to  stop  my  ears?"  he  said,  addressing 
Duncan;  "are  the  Delawares  fools,  that  they  could  not  know  the 
young  panther  from  the  cat?" 

"They  will  yet  find  the  Huron  a  singing-bird,"  said  Duncan, 
endeavoring  to  adopt  the  figurative  language  of  the  natives. 

"It  is  good.  We  will  know  who  can  shut  the  ears  of  men. 
Brother,"  added  the  chief,  turning  his  eyes  on  Magua,  "the 
Delawares  listen." 

Thus  singled,  and  directly  called  on  to  declare  his  object,  the 
Huron  arose ;  and  advancing  with  great  deliberation  and  dignity 
into  the  very  centre  of  the  circle,  where  he  stood  confronted  to  the 
prisoners,  he  placed  himself  in  an  attitude  to  speak.  Before 
opening  his  mouth,  however,  he  bent  his  eyes  slowly  along  the 
whole  living  boundary  of  earnest  faces  as  if  to  temper  his  expres 
sions  to  the  capacities  of  his  audience.  On  Hawkeye  he  cast  a 
glance  of  respectful  enmity;  on  Duncan,  a  look  of  inextinguish 
able  hatred;  the  shrinking  figure  of  Alice  he  scarcely  deigned  to 
notice;  but  when  his  glance  met  the  firm,  commanding,  and  yet 
lovely  form  of  Cora,  his  eye  lingered  a  moment,  with  an  expres 
sion  that  it  might  have  been  difficult  to  define.  Then,  filled  with 
his  own  dark  intentions,  he  spoke  in  the  language  of  the  Canadas, 
a  tongue  that  he  well  knew  was  comprehended  by  most  of  his 
auditors. 

"The  Spirit  that  made  men  colored  them  differently,"  com 
menced  the  subtle  Huron.  "Some  are  blacker  than  the  sluggish 
bear.  These  He  said  would  be  slaves;  and  He  ordered  them  to 
work  forever,  like  the  beaver.  You  may  hear  them  groan,  when 
the  south  wind  blows,  louder  than  the  lowing  buffaloes,  along  the 
shores  of  the  great  salt  lake,  where  the  big  canoes  come  and  go 
with  them  in  droves.  Some  He  made  with  faces  paler  than  the 
ermine  of  the  forests:  and  these  He  ordered  to  be  traders;  dogs 
to  their  women,  and  wolves  to  their  slaves.  He  gave  this  people 
the  nature  of  the  pigeon:  wings  that  never  tire;  young,  more 
plentiful  than  the  leaves  on  the  trees,  and  appetites  to  devour  the 
earth.  He  gave  them  tongues  like  the  false  call  of  the  wild-cat ; 
hearts  like  rabbits;  the  cunning  of  the  hog  (but  none  of  the  fox), 
and  arms  longer  than  the  legs  of  the  moose.  With  his  tongue, 
he  stops  the  ears  of  the  Indians;  his  heart  teaches  him  to  pay 
warriors  to  fight  his  battles;  his  cunning  tells  him  how  to  get 
together  the  goods  of  the  earth ;  and  his  arms  inclose  the  land  from 
the  shores  of  the  salt-water  to  the  islands  of  the  great  lake.  His 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  317 

gluttony  makes  him  sick.  God  gave  him  enough,  and  yet  he 
wants  all.  Such  are  the  pale-faces. 

"Some  the  Great  Spirit  made  with  skins  brighter  and  redder 
than  yonder  sun,"  continued  Magua,  pointing  impressively  up 
wards  to  the  lurid  luminary,  which  was  struggling  through  the 
misty  atmosphere  of  the  horizon;  "and  these  did  He  fashion  to 
His  own  mind.  He  gave  them  this  island  as  He  had  made  it, 
covered  with  trees,  and  filled  with  game.  The  wind  made  their 
clearings;  the  sun  and  rains  ripened  their  fruits;  and  the  snows 
came  to  tell  them  to  be  thankful.  What  need  had  they  of  roads 
to  journey  by!  They  saw  through  the  hills.  When  the  beavers 
worked,  they  lay  in  the  shade,  and  looked  on.  The  winds  cooled 
them  in  summer;  in  winter,  skins  kept  them  warm.  If  they 
fought  among  themselves,  it  was  to  prove  that  they  were  men. 
They  were  brave;  they  were  just;  they  were  happy." 

Here  the  speaker  paused,  and  again  looked  around  him,  to 
discover  if  his  legend  had  touched  the  sympathies  of  his  listeners. 
He  met  everywhere  with  eyes  riveted  on  his  own,  heads  erect,  and 
nostrils  expanded,  as  if  each  individual  present  felt  himself  able 
and  willing,  singly,  to  redress  the  wrongs  of  his  race. 

"If  the  Great  Spirit  gave  different  tongues  to  his  red  chil 
dren,"  he  continued,  in  a  low,  still,  melancholy  voice,  "it  was  that 
all  animals  might  understand  them.  Some  He  placed  among  the 
snows,  with  their  cousin  the  bear.  Some  he  placed  near  the 
setting  sun,  on  the  road  to  the  happy  hunting-grounds.  Some 
on  the  lands  around  the  great  fresh  waters;  but  to  his  greatest, 
and  most  beloved,  He  gave  the  sands  of  the  salt  lake.  Do  my 
brothers  know  the  name  of  this  favored  people?" 

"It  was  the  Lenape!"  exclaimed  twenty  eager  voices,  in  a 
breath. 

"It  was  the  Lenni  Lenape,"  returned  Magua,  affecting  to 
bend  his  head  in  reverence  to  their  former  greatness.  "It  was 
the  tribes  of  the  Lenape!  The  sun  rose  from  water  that  was 
salt,  and  set  in  water  that  was  sweet,  and  never  hid  himself  from 
their  eyes.  But  why  should  I,  a  Huron  of  the  woods,  tell  a  wise 
people  their  own  traditions?  Why  remind  them  of  their  injuries; 
their  ancient  greatness;  their  deeds;  their  glory;  their  happiness, 
—their  losses;  their  defeats;  their  misery?  Is  there  not  one 
among  them  who  has  seen  it  all,  and  who  knows  it  to  be  true?  I 
have  done.  My  tongue  is  still,  for  my  heart  is  of  lead.  I  listen." 

As  the  voice  of  the  speaker  suddenly  ceased,  every  face  and 


318  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

all  eyes  turned,  by  a  common  movement,  towards  the  venerable 
Tamenund.  From  the  moment  that  he  took  his  seat,  until  the 
present  instant,  the  lips  of  the  patriarch  had  not  severed,  and 
scarcely  a  sign  of  life  had  escaped  him.  He  sat  bent  in  feeble 
ness,  and  apparently  unconscious  of  the  presence  he  was  in,  dur 
ing  the  whole  of  that  opening  scene,  in  which  the  skill  of  the  scout 
had  been  so  clearly  established.  At  the  nicely  graduated  sound 
of  Magua's  voice,  however,  he  betrayed  some  evidence  of  con 
sciousness,  and  once  or  twice  he  even  raised  his  head,  as  if  to  listen. 
But  when  the  crafty  Huron  spoke  of  his  nation  by  name,  the  eye 
lids  of  the  old  man  raised  themselves,  and  he  looked  out  upon  the 
multitude  with  that  sort  of  dull  unmeaning  expression  which 
might  be  supposed  to  belong  to  the  countenance  of  a  spectre. 
Then  he  made  an  effort  to  rise,  and  being  upheld  by  his  sup 
porters,  he  gained  his  feet,  in  a  posture  commanding  by  its  dig 
nity,  while  he  tottered  with  weakness. 

"Who  calls  upon  the  children  of  the  Lenape!"  he  said,  in 'a 
deep,  guttural  voice,  that  was  rendered  awfully  audible  by  the 
breathless  silence  of  the  multitude:  "who  speaks  of  things  gone! 
Does  not  the  egg  become  a  worm — the  worm  a  fly,  and  perish? 
Why  tell  the  Delawares  of  good  that  is  past?  Better  thank  the 
Manitou  for  that  which  remains." 

"It  is  a  Wyandot,"  said  Magua,  stepping  nigher  to  the  rude 
platform  on  which  the  other  stood;  "a  friend  of  Tamenund." 

"A  friend!"  repeated  the  sage,  on  whose  brow  a  dark  frown 
settled,  imparting  a  portion  of  that  severity  which  had  rendered 
his  eye  so  terrible  in  middle  age.  "Are  the  Mingos  rulers  of  the 
earth?  What  brings  a  Huron  here?" 

"Justice.  His  prisoners  are  with  his  brothers,  and  he  comes 
for  his  own." 

Tamenund  turned  his  head  towards  one  of  his  supporters,  and 
listened  to  the  short  explanation  the  man  gave.  Then  facing  the 
applicant,  he  regarded  him  a  moment  with  deep  attention;  after 
which  he  said,  in  a  low  and  reluctant  voice,— 

"Justice  is  the  law  of  the  great  Manitou.  My  children,  give 
the  stranger  food.  Then,  Huron,  take  thine  own  and  depart." 

On  the  delivery  of  this  solemn  judgment,  the  patriarch  seated 
himself,  and  closed  his  eyes  again,  as  if  better  pleased  with  the 
images  of  his  own  ripened  experience  than  with  the  visible  objects 
of  the  world.  Against  such  a  decree  there  was  no  Delaware 
sufficiently  hardy  to  murmur,  much  less  oppose  himself.  The 


THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  319 

words  were  barely  uttered  when  four  or  five  of  the  younger  war 
riors,  stepping  behind  Heyward  and  the  scout,  passed  thongs  so 
dexterously  and  rapidly  around  their  arms,  as  to  hold  them  both 
in  instant  bondage.  The  former  was  too  much  engrossed  with 
his  precious  and  nearly  insensible  burden,  to  be  aware  of  their 
intentions  before  they  were  executed;  and  the  latter,  who  con 
sidered  even  the  hostile  tribes  of  the  Delawares  a  superior  race 
of  beings,  submitted  without  resistance.  Perhaps,  however,  the 
manner  of  the  scout  would  not  have  been  so  passive,  had  he  fully 
comprehended  the  language  in  which  the  preceding  dialogue  had 
been  conducted. 

Magua  cast  a  look  of  triumph  around  the  whole  assembly 
before  he  proceeded  to  the  execution  of  his  purpose.  Perceiving 
that  the  men  were  unable  to  offer  any  resistance,  he  turned  his 
looks  on  her  he  valued  most.  Cora  met  his  gaze  with  an  eye  so 
calm  and  firm,  that  his  resolution  wavered.  Then  recollecting 
his  former  artifice,  he  raised  Alice  from  the  arms  of  the  warrior 
against  whom  she  leaned,  and  beckoning  Heyward  to  follow,  he 
motioned  for  the  encircling  crowd  to  open.  But  Cora,  instead  of 
obeying  the  impulse  he  had  expected,  rushed  to  the  feet  of  the 
patriarch,  and  raising  her  voice,  exclaimed  aloud,— 

"Just  and  venerable  Delaware,  on  thy  wisdom  and  power  we 
lean  for  mercy!  Be  deaf  to  yonder  artful  and  remorseless  mon 
ster,  who  poisons  thy  ears  with  falsehoods  to  feed  his  thirst  for 
blood.  Thou  that  hast  lived  long,  and  that  hast  seen  the  evil 
of  the  world,  should  know  how  to  temper  its  calamities  to  the 
miserable." 

The  eyes  of  the  old  man  opened  heavily,  and  he  once  more 
looked  upwards  at  the  multitude.  As  the  piercing  tones  of  the 
supplicant  swelled  on  his  ears,  they  moved  slowly  in  the  direction 
of  her  person,  and  finally  settled  there  in  a  steady  gaze.  Cora 
had  cast  herself  to  her  knees;  and,  with  hands  clenched  in  each 
other  and  pressed  upon  her  bosom,  she  remained  like  a  beauteous 
and  breathing  model  of  her  sex,  looking  up  in  his  faded,  but 
majestic  countenance,  with  a  species  of  holy  reverence.  Grad 
ually  the  expression  of  Tamenund's  features  changed,  and  losing 
their  vacancy  in  admiration,  they  lighted  with  a  portion  of  that 
intelligence  which  a  century  before  had  been  wont  to  communi 
cate  his  youthful  fire  to  the  extensive  bands  of  the  Delawares. 
Rising  without  assistance,  and  seemingly  without  an  effort,  he 
demanded,  in  a  voice  that  startled  its  auditors  by  its  firmness, — 


320  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"What  art  them?" 

"A  woman.  One  of  a  hated  race,  if  thou  wilt — a  Yengee. 
But  one  who  has  never  harmed  thee,  and  who  cannot  harm  thy 
people,  if  she  would;  who  asks  for  succor." 

"Tell  me,  my  children,"  continued  the  patriarch,  hoarsely, 
motioning  to  those  around  him,  though  his  eyes  still  dwelt  upon 
the  kneeling  form  of  Cora,  "where  have  the  Delawares  camped?" 

"In  the  mountains  of  the  Iroquois,  beyond  the  clear  springs 
of  the  Horican." 

"Many  parching  summers  are  come  and  gone,"  continued  the 
sage,  "since  I  drank  of  the  water  of  my  own  rivers.  The  children 
of  Minquon1  are  the  justest  white  men;  but  they  were  thirsty,  and 
they  took  it  to  themselves.  Do  they  follow  us  so  far?" 

"We  follow  none;  we  covet  nothing,"  answered  Cora.  "Cap 
tives  against  our  wills,  have  we  been  brought  among  you;  and 
we  ask  but  permission  to  depart  to  our  own  in  peace.  Art  thou 
not  Tamenund — the  father,  the  judge,  I  had  almost  said,  the 
prophet — of  this  people?" 

"I  am  Tamenund  of  many  days." 

"  'Tis  now  some  seven  years  that  one  of  thy  people  was  at 
the  mercy  of  a  white  chief  on  the  borders  of  this  province.  He 
claimed  to  be  of  the  blood  of  the  good  and  just  Tamenund.  'Go,' 
said  the  white  man,  'for  thy  parent's  sake  thou  art  free.'  Dost 
thou  remember  the  name  of  that  English  warrior?" 

"I  remember,  that  when  a  laughing  boy,"  returned  the  patri 
arch,  with  the  peculiar  recollection  of  vast  age,  "I  stood  upon  the 
sands  of  the  sea-shore,  and  saw  a  big  canoe,  with  wings  whiter 
than  the  swan's,  and  wider  than  many  eagles,  come  from  the  rising 
sun." 

"Nay,  nay;  I  speak  not  of  a  time  so  very  distant,  but  of  favor 
shown  to  thy  kindred  by  one  of  mine,  within  the  memory  of  thy 
youngest  warrior." 

"Was  it  when  the  Yengeese  and  the.  Dutchmanne  fought  for 
the  hunting-grounds  of  the  Delawares?  Then  Tamenund  was  a 
chief,  and  first  laid  aside  the  bow  for  the  lightning  of  the  pale 
faces—" 

i  William  Penn  was  termed  Minquon  by  the  Delawares,  and,  as  he  never  used  violence 
or  injustice  in  his  dealings  with  them,  his  reputation  for  probity  passed  into  a  proverb. 
The  American  is  justly  proud  of  the  origin  of  his  nation,  which  is  perhaps  unequalled 
in  the  history  of  the  world;  but  the  Pennsylvanian  and  Jerseyman  have  more  reason  to 
value  themselves  in  their  ancestors  than  the  natives  of  any  other  State,  since  no  wrong 
was  done  the  original  owners  of  the  soil. 


Copyright  by  Chants  Scribner's  tions 


THE   SUPPLICANT 

Cora  had  cast  herself  to  her  knees  ;  and,  with  hands  clenched1 
in  each  other  and  pressed  upon  her  bosom,  she  remained 
a  beauteous  and  breathing  model  of  her  sex 


Copyright  i»j  (.  /, 


THE   SUPPLICANT 

Cora  had  cast  herself  to  her  knees  ;  and,  u'tth  hands  clenched 
in  each  other  and  pressed  upon  her  bosom,  she  remained 
a  beauleous  and  breathing  moJei  of  her  sex 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  321 

"JSTor  yet  then,"  interrupted  Cora,  "by  many  ages;  I  speak 
of  a  thing  of  yesterday.  Surely,  surely,  you  forget  it  not." 

"It  was  but  yesterday,"  rejoined  the  aged  man,  with  touching 
pathos,  "that  the  children  of  the  Lenape  were  masters  of  the 
world.  The  fishes  of  the  salt  lake,  the  birds,  the  beasts,  and  the 
Mengwe  of  the  woods,  owned  them  for  sagamores." 

Cora  bowed  her  head  in  disappointment,  and,  for  a  bitter  mo 
ment,  struggled  with  her  chagrin.  Then  elevating  her  rich  fea 
tures  and  beaming  eyes,  she  continued,  in  tones  scarcely  less  pene 
trating  than  the  unearthly  voice  of  the  patriarch  himself, — 

"Tell  me,  is  Tamenund  a  father?" 

The  old  man  looked  down  upon  her  from  his  elevated  stand, 
with  a  benignant  smile  on  his  wasted  countenance,  and  then  cast 
ing  his  eyes  slowly  over  the  whole  assemblage,  he  answered, — 

"Of  a  nation." 

"For  myself  I  ask  nothing.  Like  thee  and  thine,  venerable 
chief,"  she  continued,  pressing  her  hands  convulsively  on  her 
heart,  and  suffering  her  head  to  droop  until  her  burning  cheeks 
were  nearly  concealed  in  the  maze  of  dark  glossy  tresses  that  fell 
in  disorder  upon  her  shoulders,  "the  curse  of  my  ancestors  has 
fallen  heavily  on  their  child.  But  yonder  is  one  who  has  never 
known  the  weight  of  Heaven's  displeasure  until  now.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  an  old  and  failing  man,  whose  days  are  near  their 
close.  She  has  many,  very  many,  to  love  her,  and  delight  in  her; 
and  she  is  too  good,  much  too  precious,  to  become  the  victim  of 
that  villain." 

"I  know  that  the  pale-faces  are  a  proud  and  hungry  race.  I 
know  that  they  claim  not  only  to  have  the  earth,  but  that  the 
meanest  of  their  color  is  better  than  the  sachems  of  the  redman. 
The  dogs  and  crows  of  their  tribes,"  continued  the  earnest  old 
chieftain,  without  heeding  the  wounded  spirit  of  his  listener, 
whose  head  was  nearly  crushed  to  the  earth  in  shame,  as  he  pro 
ceeded,  "would  bark  and  caw  before  they  would  take  a  woman 
to  their  wigwams  whose  blood  was  not  of  the  color  of  snow.  But 
let  them  not  boast  before  the  face  of  the  Manitou  too  loud.  They 
entered  the  land  at  the  rising,  and  may  yet  go  off  at  the  setting 
sun.  I  have  often  seen  the  locusts  strip  the  leaves  from  the  trees, 
but  the  season  of  blossoms  has  always  come  again." 

"It  is  so,"  said  Cora,  drawing  a  long  breath,  as  if  reviving 
from  a  trance,  raising  her  face,  and  shaking  back  her  shining 
veil,  with  a  kindling  eye,  that  contradicted  the  deathlike  paleness 


322  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

of  her  countenance;  "but  why — it  is  not  permitted  us  to  inquire. 
There  is  yet  one  of  thine  own  people  who  has  not  been  brought 
before  thee;  before  thou  lettest  the  Huron  depart  in  triumph, 
hear  him  speak." 

Observing  Tamenund  to  look  about  him  doubtingly,  one  of 
his  companions  said,— 

"It  is  a  snake — a  redskin  in  the  pay  of  the  Yengeese.  We 
keep  him  for  the  torture." 

"Let  him  come,"  returned  the  sage. 

Then  Tamenund  once  more  sank  into  his  seat,  and  a  silence 
so  deep  prevailed,  while  the  young  men  prepared  to  obey  his 
simple  mandate,  that  the  leaves,  which  fluttered  in  the  draught  of 
the  light  morning  air,  were  distinctly  heard  rustling  in  the  sur 
rounding  forest. 


CHAPTER  XXX 

"If  you  deny  me,  fie  upon  your  law! 
There  is  no  force  in  the  decrees  of  Venice: 
I  stand  for  judgment;  answer,  shall   I  have  it?" 

Merchant  of  Venice. 

THE  silence  continued  unbroken  by  human  sounds  for  many 
anxious  minutes.  Then  the  waving  multitude  opened  and  shut 
again,  and  Uncas  stood  in  the  living  circle.  All  those  eyes,  which 
had  been  curiously  studying  the  lineaments  of  the  sage,  as  the 
source  of  their  own  intelligence,  turned  on  the  instant,  and  were 
now  bent  in  secret  admiration  on  the  erect,  agile,  and  faultless 
person  of  the  captive.  But  neither  the  presence  in  which  he  found 
himself,  nor  the  exclusive  attention  that  he  attracted,  in  any  man 
ner  disturbed  the  self-possession  of  the  young  Mohican.  He  cast 
a  deliberate  and  observing  look  on  every  side  of  him,  meeting  the 
settled  expression  of  hostility  that  lowered  in  the  visages  of  the 
chiefs,  with  the  same  calmness  as  the  curious  gaze  of  the  attentive 
children.  But  when,  last  in  his  haughty  scrutiny,  the  person  of 
Tamenund  came  under  his  glance,  his  eye  became  fixed,  as  though 
all  other  objects  were  already  forgotten.  Then  advancing  with  a 
slow  and  noiseless  step  up  the  area,  he  placed  himself  immediately 
before  the  footstool  of  the  sage.  Here  he  stood  unnoted,  though 
keenly  observant  himself,  until  one  of  the  chiefs  apprised  the 
latter  of  his  presence. 

"With  what  tongue  does  the  prisoner  speak  to  the  Manitou?" 
demanded  the  patriarch,  without  unclosing  his  eyes. 

"Like  his  fathers,"  Uncas  replied;  "with  the  tongue  of  a  Del 
aware." 

At  this  sudden  and  unexpected  annunciation,  a  low,  fierce 
yell  ran  through  the  multitude,  that  might  not  inaptly  be  com 
pared  to  the  growl  of  the  lion,  as  his  choler  is  first  awakened— 
a  fearful  omen  of  the  weight  of  his  future  anger.  The  effect  was 
equally  strong  on  the  sage,  though  differently  exhibited.  He 
passed  a  hand  before  his  eyes,  as  if  to  exclude  the  least  evidence 
of  so  shameful  a  spectacle,  while  he  repeated,  in  his  low,  guttural 
tones,  the  words  he  had  just  heard. 

323 


324  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"A  Delaware!  I  have  lived  to  see  the  tribes  of  the  Lenape 
driven  from  their  council-fires,  and  scattered,  like  broken  herds 
of  deer,  among  the  hills  of  the  Iroquois !  I  have  seen  the  hatchets 
of  a  strange  people  sweep  woods  from  the  valleys,  that  the  winds 
of  heaven  had  spared!  The  beasts  that  run  on  the  mountains, 
and  the  birds  that  fly  above  the  trees,  have  I  seen  Eving  in  the 
wigwams  of  men;  but  never  before  have  I  found  a  Delaware  so 
base  as  to  creep,  like  a  poisonous  serpent,  into  the  camps  of  his 
nation." 

"The  singing-birds  have  opened  their  bills,"  returned  Uncas, 
in  the  softest  notes  of  his  own  musical  voice;  "and  Tamenund 
has  heard  their  song." 

The  sage  started,  and  bent  his  head  aside,  as  if  to  catch  the 
fleeting  sounds  of  some  passing  melody. 

"Does  Tamenund  dream!"  he  exclaimed.  "What  voice  is  at 
his  ear!  Have  the  winters  gone  backward!  Will  summer  come 
again  to  the  children  of  the  Lenape!" 

A  solemn  and  respectful  silence  succeeded  this  incoherent 
burst  from  the  lips  of  the  Delaware  prophet.  His  people  stead 
ily  construed  his  unintelligible  language  into  one  of  those  mys 
terious  conferences  he  was  believed  to  hold  so  frequently  with  a 
superior  intelligence,  and  they  awaited  the  issue  of  the  revelation 
in  awe.  After  a  patient  pause,  however,  one  of  the  aged  men, 
perceiving  that  the  sage  had  lost  the  recollection  of  the  subject 
before  them,  ventured  to  remind  him  again  of  the  presence  of  the 
prisoner. 

"The  false  Delaware  trembles  lest  he  should  hear  the  words 
of  Tamenund,"  he  said.  "Tis  a  hound  that  howls,  when  the  Yen- 
geese  show  him  a  trail." 

"And  ye,"  returned  Uncas,  looking  sternly  around  him,  "are 
dogs  that  whine,  when  the  Frenchman  casts  ye  the  offals  of  his 
deer!" 

Twenty  knives  gleamed  in  the  air,  and  as  many  warriors 
sprang  to  their  feet,  at  this  biting,  and  perhaps  merited  retort; 
but  a  motion  from  one  of  the  chiefs  suppressed  the  outbreaking 
of  their  tempers,  and  restored  the  appearance  of  quiet.  The  task 
might  probably  have  been  more  difficult,  had  not  a  movement 
made  by  Tamenund  indicated  that  he  was  again  about  to  speak. 

"Delaware!"  resumed  the  sage,  "little  art  thou  worthy  of  thy 
name.  My  people  have  not  seen  a  bright  sun  in  many  winters; 
and  the  warrior  who  deserts  his  tribe  when  hid  in  clouds  is  doubly 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  325 

a  traitor.  The  law  of  the  Manitou  is  just.  It  is  so;  while  the  riv 
ers  run  and  the  mountains  stand,  while  the  blossoms  come  and  go 
on  the  trees,  it  must  be  so.  He  is  thine,  my  children;  deal  justly 
by  him." 

Not  a  limb  was  moved,  nor  was  a  breath  drawn  louder  and 
longer  than  common,  until  the  closing  syllable  of  this  final  de 
cree  had  passed  the  lips  of  Tarnenund.  Then  a  cry  of  vengeance 
burst  at  once,  as  it  might  be,  from  the  united  lips  of  the  nation; 
a  frightful  augury  of  their  ruthless  intentions.  In  the  midst  of 
these  prolonged  and  savage  yells,  a  chief  proclaimed,  in  a  high 
voice,  that  the  captive  was  condemned  to  endure  the  dreadful  trial 
of  torture  by  fire.  The  circle  broke  its  order,  and  screams  of 
delight  mingled  with  the  bustle  and  tumult  of  preparation.  Hey- 
ward  struggled  madly  with  his  captors;  the  anxious  eyes  of 
Hawkeye  began  to  look  around  him,  with  an  expression  of  pecu 
liar  earnestness;  and  Cora  again  threw  herself  at  the  feet  of  the 
patriarch,  once  more  a  suppliant  for  mercy. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  these  trying  moments,  Uncas  had 
alone  preserved  his  serenity.  He  looked  on  the  preparations  with 
a  steady  eye,  and  when  the  tormentors  came  to  seize  him,  he  met 
them  with  a  firm  and  upright  attitude.  One  among  them,  if  pos 
sible,  more  fierce  and  savage  than  his  fellows,  seized  the  hunting- 
shirt  of  the  young  warrior,  and  at  a  single  effort  tore  it  from  his 
body.  Then,  with  a  yell  of  frantic  pleasure,  he  leaped  towards 
his  unresisting  victim,  and  prepared  to  lead  him  to  the  stake. 
But,  at  that  moment,  when  he  appeared  most  a  stranger  to  the 
feelings  of  humanity,  the  purpose  of  the  savage  was  arrested  as 
suddenly  as  if  a  supernatural  agency  had  interposed  in  the  behalf 
of  Uncas.  The  eyeballs  of  the  Delaware  seemed  to  start  from 
their  sockets;  his  mouth  opened,  and  his  whole  form  became 
frozen  in  an  attitude  of  amazement.  Raising  his  hand  with  a 
slow  and  regulated  motion,  he  pointed  with  a  finger  to  the  bosom 
of  the  captive.  His  companions  crowded  about  him  in  wonder, 
and  every  eye  was,  like  his  own,  fastened  intently  on  the  figure  of 
a  small  tortoise,  beautifully  tattooed  on  the  breast  of  the  prisoner, 
in  a  bright  blue  tint. 

For  a  single  instant  Uncas  enjoyed  his  triumph,  smiling 
calmly  on  the  scene.  Then  motioning  the  crowd  away  with  a  high 
and  haughty  sweep  of  his  arm,  he  advanced  in  front  of  the  nation 
with  the  air  of  a  king,  and  spoke  in  a  voice  louder  than  the  mur 
mur  of  admiration  that  ran  through  the  multitude. 


326  THE   LAST    OF   THE    MOHICANS 

"Men  of  the  Lenni  Lenape!"  he  said,  "my  race  upholds  the 
earth!  Your  feeble  tribe  stands  on  my  shell!  What  fire  that  a 
Delaware  can  light  would  burn  the  child  of  my  fathers,"  he  added, 
pointing  proudly  to  the  simple  blazonry  on  his  skin;  "the  blood 
that  came  from  such  a  stock  would  smother  your  flames !  My  race 
is  the  grandfather  of  nations!" 

"Who  art  thou?"  demanded  Tamenund,  rising  at  the  start 
ling  tones  he  heard,  more  than  at  any  meaning  conveyed  by  the 
language  of  the  prisoner. 

"Uncas,  the  son  of  Chingachgook,"  answered  the  captive  mod 
estly,  turning  from  the  nation,  and  bending  his  head  in  reverence 
to  the  other's  character  and  years;  "a  son  of  the  great  Unamis." 

"The  hour  of  Tamenund  is  nigh!"  exclaimed  the  sage;  "the 
day  is  come,  at  last,  to  the  night !  I  thank  the  Manitou,  that  one 
is  here  to  fill  my  place  at  the  council-fire.  Uncas,  the  child  of 
Uncas,  is  found !  Let  the  eyes  of  a  dying  eagle  gaze  on  the  rising 
sun." 

The  youth  stepped  lightly,  but  proudly,  on  the  platform, 
where  he  became  visible  to  the  whole  agitated  and  wondering  mul 
titude.  Tamenund  held  him  long  at  the  length  of  his  arm,  and 
read  every  turn  in  the  fine  lineaments  of  his  countenance,  with 
the  untiring  gaze  of  one  who  recalled  days  of  happiness. 

"Is  Tamenund  a  boy?"  at  length  the  bewildered  prophet  ex 
claimed.  "Have  I  dreamt  of  so  many  snows — that  my  people 
were  scattered  like  floating  sands — of  Yengeese,  more  plenty 
than  the  leaves  on  the  trees !  The  arrow  of  Tamenund  would  not 
frighten  the  fawn;  his  arm  is  withered  like  the  branch  of  a  dead 
oak;  the  snail  would  be  swifter  in  the  race;  yet  is  Uncas  before 
him  as  they  went  to  battle  against  the  pale-faces!  Uncas,  the 
panther  of  his  tribe,  the  eldest  son  of  the  Lenape,  the  wisest  Saga 
more  of  the  Mohicans!  Tell  me,  ye  Delawares,  has  Tamenund 
been  a  sleeper  for  a  hundred  winters?" 

The  calm  and  deep  silence  which  succeeded  these  words,  suffi 
ciently  announced  the  awful  reverence  with  which  his  people  re 
ceived  the  communication  of  the  patriarch.  None  dared  to  an 
swer,  though  all  listened  in  breathless  expectation  of  what  might 
follow.  Uncas,  however,  looking  in  his  face  with  the  fondness 
and  veneration  of  a  favored  child,  presumed  on  his  own  high  and 
acknowledged  rank,  to  reply. 

"Four  warriors  of  his  race  have  lived,  and  died,"  he  said, 

i  Turtle. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  327 

"since  the  friend  of  Tamenund  led  his  people  in  battle.  The 
blood  of  the  turtle  has  been  in  many  chiefs,  but  all  have  gone  back 
into  the  earth  from  whence  they  came  except  Chingachgook  and 
his  son." 

"It  is  true — it  is  true,"  returned  the  sage;  a  flash  of  recollec 
tion  destroying  all  his  pleasing  fancies,  and  restoring  him  at  once 
to  a  consciousness  of  the  true  history  of  his  nation.  "Our  wise 
men  have  often  said  that  two  warriors  of  the  unchanged  race  were 
in  the  hills  of  the  Yengeese;  why  have  their  seats  at  the  council- 
fires  of  the  Delawares  been  so  long  empty?" 

At  these  words  the  young  man  raised  his  head,  which  he  had 
still  kept  bowed  a  little,  in  reverence;  and  lifting  his  voice  so  as 
to  be  heard  by  the  multitude,  as  if  to  explain  at  once  and  forever 
the  policy  of  his  family,  he  said  aloud, — 

"Once  we  slept  where  we  could  hear  the  salt  lake  speak  in  its 
anger.  Then  we  were  rulers  and  sagamores  over  the  land.  But 
when  a  pale-face  was  seen  on  every  brook,  we  followed  the  deer 
back  to  the  river  of  our  nation.  The  Delawares  were  gone.  Few 
warriors  of  them  all  stayed  to  drink  of  the  stream  they  loved. 
Then  said  my  fathers,  'Here  will  we  hunt.  The  waters  of  the 
river  go  into  the  salt  lake.  If  we  go  towards  the  setting  sun,  we 
shall  find  streams  that  run  into  the  great  lakes  of  sweet  water; 
there  would  a  Mohican  die,  like  fishes  of  the  sea,  in  the  clear 
springs.  When  the  Manitou  is  ready,  and  shall  say  "Come,"  we 
will  follow  the  river  to  the  sea,  and  take  our  own  again.'  Such, 
Delawares,  is  the  belief  of  the  children  of  the  Turtle.  Our  eyes 
are  on  the  rising,  and  not  towards  the  setting  sun.  We  know 
whence  he  comes,  but  we  know  not  whither  he  goes.  It  is 
enough." 

The  men  of  the  Lenape  listened  to  his  words  with  all  the  re 
spect  that  superstition  could  lend,  finding  a  secret  charm  even  in 
the  figurative  language  with  which  the  young  Sagamore  imparted 
his  ideas.  Uncas  himself  watched  the  effect  of  his  brief  explana 
tion  with  intelligent  eyes,  and  gradually  dropped  the  air  of  au 
thority  he  had  assumed,  as  he  perceived  that  his  auditors  were 
content.  Then  permitting  his  looks  to  wander  over  the  silent 
throng  that  crowded  around  the  elevated  seat  of  Tamenund,  he 
first  perceived  Hawkeye  in  his  bonds.  Stepping  eagerly  from 
his  stand,  he  made  way  for  himself  to  the  side  of  his  friend;  and 
cutting  his  thongs  with  a  quick  and  angry  stroke  of  his  own  knife, 
he  motioned  to  the  crowd  to  divide.  The  Indians  silently  obeved, 


328  THE    LAST    OF    TPIE    MOHICANS 

and  once  more  they  stood  ranged  in  their  circle,  as  before  his  ap 
pearance  among  them.  Uncas  took  the  scout  by  the  hand,  and 
led  him  to  the  feet  of  the  patriarch. 

"Father,"  he  said,  "look  at  this  pale-face;  a  just  man,  and  the 
friend  of  the  Delawares." 

"Is  he  a  son  of  Minquon?" 

"Not  so;  a  warrior  known  to  the  Yengeese,  and  feared  by  the 
Maquas." 

"What  name  has  he  gained  by  his  deeds?" 

"We  call  him  Hawkeye,"  Uncas  replied,  using  the  Delaware 
phrase;  "for  his  sight  never  fails.  The  Mingos  know  him  better 
by  the  death  he  gives  their  warriors;  with  them  he  is  'The  Long 
Rifle.' ' 

"La  Longue  Carabine!"  exclaimed  Tamenund,  opening  his 
eyes,  and  regarding  the  scout  sternly.  "My  son  has  not  done  well 
to  call  him  friend." 

"I  call  him  so  who  proves  himself  such,"  returned  the  young 
chief,  with  great  calmness,  but  with  a  steady  mien.  "If  Uncas 
is  welcome  among  the  Delawares,  then  is  Hawkeye  with  his 
friends." 

"The  pale-face  has  slain  my  young  men;  his  name  is  great  for 
the  blows  he  has  struck  the  Lenape." 

"If  a  Mingo  has  whispered  that  much  in  the  ear  of  the  Del 
aware,  he  has  only  shown  that  he  is  a  singing-bird,"  said  the  scout, 
who  now  believed  that  it  was  time  to  vindicate  himself  from  such 
offensive  charges,  and  who  spoke  in  the  tongue  of  the  man  he  ad 
dressed,  modifying  his  Indian  figures,  however,  with  his  own 
peculiar  notions.  "That  I  have  slain  the  Maquas  I  am  not  the 
man  to  deny,  even  at  their  own  council-fires ;  but  that,  knowingly, 
my  hand  has  ever  harmed  a  Delaware,  is  opposed  to  the  reason  of 
my  gifts,  which  is  friendly  to  them,  and  all  that  belongs  to  their 
nation." 

A  low  exclamation  of  applause  passed  among  the  warriors, 
who  exchanged  looks  with  each  other  like  men  that  first  began  to 
perceive  their  error. 

"Where  is  the  Huron?"  demanded  Tamenund.  "Has  he 
stopped  my  ears?" 

Magua,  whose  feelings  during  that  scene  in  which  Uncas  had 
triumphed  may  be  much  better  imagined  than  described,  answered 
to  the  call  by  stepping  boldly  in  front  of  the  patriarch. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  329 

"The  just  Tamenund,"  he  said,  "will  not  keep  what  a  Huron 
has  lent." 

"Tell  me,  son  of  my  brother,"  returned  the  sage,  avoiding  the 
dark  countenance  of  Le  Subtil,  and  turning  gladly  to  the  more 
ingenuous  features  of  Uncas,  "has  the  stranger  a  conqueror's 
right  over  you?" 

"He  has  none.  The  panther  may  get  into  snares  set  by  the 
women;  but  he  is  strong,  and  knows  how  to  leap  through 
them." 

"La  Longue  Carabine?" 

"Laughs  at  the  Mingoes.  Go,  Huron,  ask  your  squaws  the 
color  of  a  bear." 

"The  stranger  and  the  white  maiden  that  came  into  my  camp 
together?" 

"Should  journey  on  an  open  path." 

"And  the  woman  that  Huron  left  with  my  warriors?" 

Uncas  made  no  reply. 

"And  the  woman  that  the  Mingo  has  brought  into  my  camp," 
repeated  Tamenund,  gravely. 

"She  is  mine,"  cried  Magua,  shaking  his  hand  in  triumph  at 
Uncas.  "Mohican,  you  know  that  she  is  mine." 

"My  son  is  silent,"  said  Tamenund,  endeavoring  to  read  the 
expression  of  the  face  that  the  youth  turned  from  him  in  sorrow. 

"It  is  so,"  was  the  low  answer. 

A  short  and  impressive  pause  succeeded,  during  which  it  was 
very  apparent  with  what  reluctance  the  multitude  admitted  the 
justice  of  the  Mingo's  claim.  At  length  the  sage,  in  whom  alone 
the  decision  depended,  said,  in  a  firm  voice,— 

"Huron,  depart." 

"As  he  came,  just  Tamenund,"  demanded  the  wily  Magua; 
"or  with  hands  filled  with  the  faith  of  the  Delawar.es?  The  wig 
wam  of  Le  Renard  Subtil  is  empty.  Make  him  strong  with  his 


own." 


The  aged  man  mused  with  himself  for  a  time ;  and  then  bend 
ing  his  head  towards  one  of  his  venerable  companions,  he  asked,— 

"Are  my  ears  open?" 

"It  is  true." 

"Is  this  Mingo  a  chief?" 

"The  first  in  his  nation." 

"Girl,  what  wouldst  thou?  A  great  warrior  takes  thee  to 
wife.  Go!  thy  race  will  not  end." 


330  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Better,  a  thousand  times,  it  should,"  exclaimed  the  horror- 
struck  Cora,  "than  meet  with  such  a  degradation  1" 

"Huron,  her  mind  is  in  the  tents  of  her  fathers.  An  unwilling 
maiden  makes  an  unhappy  wigwam." 

"She  speaks  with  the  tongue  of  her  people,"  returned  Magua, 
regarding  his  victim  with  a  look  of  bitter  irony.  "She  is  of  a  race 
of  traders,  and  will  bargain  for  a  bright  look.  Let  Tamenund 
speak  the  words." 

"Take  you  the  wampum,  and  our  love." 

"Nothing  hence  but  what  Magua  brought  hither." 

"Then  depart  with  thine  own.  The  great  Manitou  forbids 
that  a  Delaware  should  be  unjust." 

Magua  advanced,  and  seized  his  captive  strongly  by  the  arm; 
the  Delawares  fell  back,  in  silence;  and  Cora,  as  if  conscious  that 
remonstrance  would  be  useless,  prepared  to  submit  to  her  fate 
without  resistance. 

"Hold,  hold!"  cried  Duncan,  springing  forward;  "Huron, 
have  mercy!  her  ransom  shall  make  thee  richer  than  any  of  thy 
people  were  ever  yet  known  to  be." 

"Magua  is  a  redskin;  he  wants  not  the  beads  of  the  pale 
faces." 

"Gold,  silver,  powder,  lead — all  that  a  warrior  needs  shall  be 
in  thy  wigwam ;  all  that  becomes  the  greatest  chief." 

"Le  Subtil  is  very  strong,"  cried  Magua,  violently  shaking 
the  hand  which  grasped  the  unresisting  arm  of  Cora;  "he  has  his 
revenge!" 

"Mighty  ruler  of  providence!"  exclaimed  Heyward,  clasping 
his  hands  together  in  agony,  "can  this  be  suffered!  To  you,  just 
Tamenund,  I  appeal  for  mercy." 

"The  words  of  the  Delaware  are  said,"  returned  the  sage, 
closing  his  eyes,  and  dropping  back  into  his  seat,  alike  wearied 
with  his  mental  and  his  bodily  exertion.  "Men  speak  not  twice." 

"That  a  chief  should  not  misspend  his  time  in  unsaying  what 
had  once  been  spoken,  is  wise  and  reasonable,"  said  Hawkeye, 
motioning  to  Duncan  to  be  silent;  "but  it  is  also  prudent  in  every 
warrior  to  consider  well  before  he  strikes  his  tomahawk  into  the 
head  of  his  prisoner.  Huron,  I  love  you  not;  nor  can  I  say  that 
any  Mingo  has  ever  received  much  favor  at  my  hands.  It  is  fair 
to  conclude  that,  if  this  war  does  not  soon  end,  many  more  of  your 
warriors  will  meet  me  in  *he  woods.  Put  it  to  your  judgment, 
then,  whether  you  would  prefer  taking  such  a  prisoner  as  that 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  331 

into  your  encampment,  or  one  like  myself,  who  am  a  man  that  it 
would  greatly  rejoice  your  nation  to  see  with  naked  hands." 

"Will  'The  Long  Rifle'  give  his  life  for  the  woman?"  de 
manded  Magua,  hesitatingly;  for  he  had  already  made  a  motion 
towards  quitting  the  place  with  his  victim. 

"No,  no;  I  have  not  said  so  much  as  that,"  returned  Hawkeye, 
drawing  back  with  suitable  discretion,  when  he  noted  the  eager 
ness  with  which  Magua  listened  to  his  proposal.  "It  would  be 
an  unequal  exchange,  to  give  a  warrior,  in  the  prime  of  his  age 
and  usefulness,  for  the  best  woman  on  the  frontiers.  I  might 
consent  to  go  into  winter-quarters,  now — at  least  six  weeks  afore 
the  leaves  will  turn — on  condition  you  will  release  the  maiden." 

Magua  shook  his  head,  and  made  an  impatient  sign  for  the 
crowd  to  open. 

"Well,  then,"  added  the  scout,  with  the  musing  air  of  a  man 
who  had  not  half  made  up  his  mind,  "I  will  throw  'Killdeer'  into 
the  bargain.  Take  the  word  of  an  experienced  hunter,  the  piece 
has  not  its  equal  atween  the  provinces." 

Magua  still  disdained  to  reply,  continuing  his  efforts  to  dis 
perse  the  crowd. 

"Perhaps,"  added  the  scout,  losing  his  dissembled  coolness, 
exactly  in  proportion  as  the  other  manifested  an  indifference  to 
the  exchange,  "if  I  should  condition  to  teach  your  young  men  the 
real  virtue  of  the  we'pon,  it  would  smooth  the  little  differences  in 
our  judgments." 

Le  Renard  fiercely  ordered  the  Delawares,  who  still  lingered 
in  an  impenetrable  belt  around  him,  in  hopes  he  would  listen  to 
the  amicable  proposal,  to  open  his  path,  threatening,  by  the  glance 
of  his  eye,  another  appeal  to  the  infallible  justice  of  their 
"prophet." 

"What  is  ordered  must  sooner  or  later  arrive,"  continued 
Hawkeye,  turning  with  a  sad  and  humbled  look  to  Uncas.  "The 
varlet  knows  his  advantage,  and  will  keep  it!  God  bless  you, 
boy ;  you  have  found  friends  among  your  natural  kin  and  I  hope 
they  will  prove  as  true  as  some  you  have  met  who  had  no  Indian 
cross.  As  for  me,  sooner  or  later,  I  must  die ;  it  is  therefore  for 
tunate  there  are  but  few  to  make  my  death-howl.  After  all,  it  is 
likely  the  imps  would  have  managed  to  master  my  scalp,  so  a  day 
or  two  will  make  no  great  difference  in  the  everlasting  reckoning 
of  time.  God  bless  you,"  added  the  rugged  woodsman,  bending 
his  head  aside,  and  then  instantly  changing  its  direction  again, 


332  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

with  a  wistful  look  towards  the  youth;  "I  loved  both  you  and 
your  father,  Uncas,  though  our  skins  are  not  altogether  of  a  color, 
and  our  gifts  are  somewhat  different.  Tell  the  Sagamore  I  never 
lost  sight  of  him  in  my  greatest  trouble ;  and,  as  for  you,  think  of 
me  sometimes  when  on  a  lucky  trail;  and  depend  on  it,  boy, 
whether  there  be  one  heaven  or  two,  there  is  a  path  in  the  other 
world  by  which  honest  men  may  come  together  again.  You'll 
find  the  rifle  in  the  place  we  hid  it;  take  it,  and  keep  it  for  my 
sake;  and  harkee,  lad,  as  your  natural  gifts  don't  deny  you  the 
use  of  vengeance,  use  it  a  little  freely  on  the  Mingos ;  it  may  un 
burden  grief  at  my  loss,  and  ease  your  mind.  Huron,  I  accept 
your  offer;  release  the  woman.  I  am  your  prisoner!" 

A  suppressed,  but  still  distinct  murmur  of  approbation,  ran 
through  the  crowd  at  this  generous  proposition;  even  the  fiercest 
among  the  Delaware  warriors  manifesting  pleasure  at  the  manli 
ness  of  the  intended  sacrifice.  Magua  paused,  and  for  an  anxious 
moment,  it  might  be  said,  he  doubted;  then  casting  his  eyes  on 
Cora,  with  an  expression  in  which  ferocity  and  admiration  were 
strangely  mingled,  his  purpose  became  fixed  forever. 

He  intimated  his  contempt  of.  the  offer  with  a  backward  mo 
tion  of  his  head,  and  said,  in  a  steady  and  settled  voice,— 

"Le  Renard  Subtil  is  a  great  chief;  he  has  but  one  mind. 
Come,"  he  added,  laying  his  hand  too  familiarly  on  the  shoulder 
of  his  captive  to  urge  her  onward;  "a  Huron  is  no  tattler;  we 
will  go." 

The  maiden  drew  back  in  lofty  womanly  reserve,  and  her 
dark  eye  kindled,  while  the  rich  blood  shot,  like  the  passing  bright 
ness  of  the  sun,  into  her  very  temples,  at  the  indignity. 

"I  am  your  prisoner,  and  at  a  fitting  time  shall  be  ready  to 
follow,  even  to  my  death.  But  violence  is  unnecessary,"  she 
coldly  said;  and  immediately  turning  to  Hawkey e,  added,  "Gen 
erous  hunter !  from  my  soul  I  thank  you.  Your  offer  is  in  vain, 
neither  could  it  be  accepted;  but  still  you  may  serve  me,  even 
more  than  in  your  own  noble  intention.  Look  at  that  drooping, 
humbled  child !  Abandon  her  not  until  you  leave  her  in  the  habi 
tation  of  civilized  men.  I  will  not  say,"  wringing  the  hard  hand 
of  the  scout,  "that  her  father  will  reward  you — for  such  as  you 
are  above  the  rewards  of  men — but  he  will  thank  you,  and  bless 
you.  And,  believe  me,  the  blessing  of  a  just  and  aged  man  has 
virtue  in  the  sight  of  Heaven.  Would  to  God,  I  could  hear  one 
from  his  lips  at  this  awful  moment!"  Her  voice  became  choked, 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  333 

and,  for  an  instant,  she  was  silent ;  then  advancing  a  step  nigher 
to  Duncan,  who  was  supporting  her  unconscious  sister,  she  con 
tinued,  in  more  subdued  tones,  but  in  which  feeling  and  the  habits 
of  her  sex  maintained  a  fearful  struggle, — "I  need  not  tell  you 
to  cherish  the  treasure  you  will  possess.  You  love  her,  Heyward ; 
that  would  conceal  a  thousand  faults,  though  she  had  them.  She 
is  kind,  gentle,  sweet,  good,  as  mortal  may  be.  There  is  not  a 
blemish  in  mind  or  person  at  which  the  proudest  of  you  all  would 
sicken.  She  is  fair — O!  how  surpassingly  fair!"  laying  her  own 
beautiful,  but  less  brilliant  hand,  in  melancholy  affection  on  the 
alabaster  forehead  of  Alice,  and  parting  the  golden  hair  which 
clustered  about  her  brows;  "and  yet  her  soul  is  pure  and  spotless 
as  her  skin!  I  could  say  much — more,  perhaps,  than  cooler  rea 
son  would  approve;  but  I  will  spare  you  and  myself" —  Her 
voice  became  inaudible,  and  her  face  was  bent  over  the  form  of 
her  sister.  After  a  long  and  burning  kiss,  she  arose,  and  with 
features  of  the  hue  of  death,  but  without  even  a  tear  in  her  fever 
ish  eye,  she  turned  away,  and  added,  to  the  savage,  with  all  her 
former  elevation  of  manner, — "Now,  sir,  if  it  be  your  pleasure,  I 
will  follow." 

"Ay,  go,"  cried  Duncan,  placing  Alice  in  the  arms  of  an 
Indian  girl ;  "go,  Magua,  go.  These  Delawares  have  their  laws, 
which  forbid  them  to  detain  you ;  but  I — I  have  no  such  obliga 
tion.  Go,  malignant  monster — why  do  you  delay?" 

It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  expression  with  which 
Magua  listened  to  this  threat  to  follow.  There  was  at  first  a 
fierce  and  manifest  display  of  joy,  and  then  it  was  instantly  sub 
dued  in  a  look  of  cunning  coldness. 

"The  woods  are  open,"  he  was  content  with  answering.  "  'The 
Open  Hand'  can  come." 

"Hold,"  cried  Hawkeye,  seizing  Duncan  by  the  arm,  and  de 
taining  him  by  violence ;  "you  know  not  the  craft  of  the  imp.  He 
would  lead  you  to  an  ambushment,  and  your  death — " 

"Huron,"  interrupted  Uncas,  who,  submissive  to  the  stern 
customs  of  his  people,  had  been  an  attentive  and  grave  listener 
to  all  that  passed;  "Huron,  the  justice  of  the  Delawares  comes 
from  the  Manitou.  Look  at  the  sun.  He  is  now  in  the  upper 
branches  of  the  hemlock.  Your  path  is  short  and  open.  When 
he  is  seen  above  the  trees,  there  will  be  men  on  your  trail." 

"I  hear  a  crow!"  exclaimed  Magua,  with  a  taunting  laugh. 
"Go!"  he  added,  shaking  his  hand  at  the  crowd,  which  had 


334  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

slowly  opened  to  admit  his  passage, — "Where  are  the  petticoats 
of  the  Delawares!  Let  them  send  their  arrows  and  their  guns  to 
the  Wyandots;  they  shall  have  venison  to  eat,  and  corn  to  hoe. 
Dogs,  rabbits,  thieves — I  spit  on  you!" 

His  parting  gibes  were  listened  to  in  a  dead,  boding  silence, 
and,  with  these  biting  words  in  his  mouth,  the  triumphant  Magua 
passed  unmolested  into  the  forest,  followed  by  his  passive  cap 
tive,  and  protected  by  the  inviolable  laws  of  Indian  hospitality. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

"Flue. — Kill  the  poys  and  the  luggage!  'Tis  expressly  against  the  law  of  arms;  'tis 
as  arrant  a  piece  of  knavery,  mark  you  now,  as  can  be  offered  in  the  world." 

King  Henry   V. 

So  long  as  their  enemy  and  his  victim  continued  in  sight,  the 
multitude  remained  motionless  as  beings  charmed  to  the  place 
by  some  power  that  was  friendly  to  the  Huron;  but  the  instant 
he  disappeared,  it  became  tossed  and  agitated  by  fierce  and  pow^- 
erful  passion.  Uncas  maintained  his  elevated  stand,  keeping  his 
eyes  on  the  form  of  Cora,  until  the  colors  of  her  dress  were  blended 
with  the  foliage  of  the  forest;  when  he  descended,  and  moving 
silently  through  the  throng,  he  disappeared  in  that  lodge  from 
which  he  had  so  recently  issued.  A  few  of  the  graver  and  more 
attentive  warriors,  who  caught  the  gleams  of  anger  that  shot  from 
the  eyes  of  the  young  chief  in  passing,  followed  him  to  the  place 
he  had  selected  for  his  meditations.  After  which,  Tamenund  and 
Alice  were  removed,  and  the  women  and  children  were  ordered  to 
disperse.  During  the  momentous  hour  that  succeeded,  the  en 
campment  resembled  a  hive  of  troubled  bees,  who  only  awaited 
the  appearance  and  example  of  their  leader  to  take  some  distant 
and  momentous  flight. 

A  young  warrior  at  length  issued  from  the  lodge  of  Uncas; 
and  moving  deliberately,  with  a  sort  of  grave  march,  towards  a 
dwarf  pine  that  grew  in  the  crevices  of  the  rocky  terrace,  he  tore 
the  bark  from  its  body,  and  then  returned  whence  he  came  with 
out  speaking.  He  was  soon  followed  by  another,  who  stripped  the 
sapling  of  its  branches,  leaving  it  a  naked  and  blazed1  trunk.  A 
third  colored  the  posts  with  stripes  of  a  dark  red  paint;  all  which 
indications  of  a  hostile  design  in  the  leaders  of  the  nation  were 
received  by  the  men  without  in  a  gloomy  and  ominous  silence. 
Finally,  the  Mohican  himself  reappeared,  divested  of  all  his  attire 
except  his  girdle  and  leggings,  and  with  one-half  of  his  fine  fea 
tures  hid  under  a  cloud  of  threatening  black 

i  A  tree  which  has  been  partially  or  entirely  stripped  of  its  bark  is  said,  in  the  language 
of  the  country,  to  be  "blazed."  The  term  is  strictly  English;  for  a  horse  is  said  to  be 
blazed  when  it  has  a  white  mark. 

335 


336  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

Uncas  moved  with  a  slow  and  dignified  tread  towards  the  post, 
which  he  immediately  commenced  encircling  with  a  measured 
step,  not  unlike  an  ancient  dance,  raising  his  voice,  at  the  same 
time,  in  the  wild  and  irregular  chant  of  his  war-song.  The  notes 
were  in  the  extremes  of  human  sounds;  being  sometimes  melan 
choly  and  exquisitely  plaintive,  even  rivalling  the  melody  of  birds 
—and  then,  by  sudden  and  startling  transitions,  causing  the  au 
ditors  to  tremble  by  their  depth  and  energy.  The  words  were  few 
and  often  repeated,  proceeding  gradually  from  a  sort  of  invoca 
tion,  or  hymn  to  the  Deity,  to  an  intimation  of  the  warrior's 
object,  and  terminating  as  they  commenced  with  an  acknowledg 
ment  of  his  own  dependence  on  the  Great  Spirit.  If  it  were  pos 
sible  to  translate  the  comprehensive  and  melodious  language  in 
which  he  spoke,  the  ode  might  read  something  like  the  following: 

"Manitou!    Manitou!    Manitou! 
Thou  art  great,  thou  art  good,  thou  art  wise: 
Manitou !    Manitou ! 
Thou  art  just. 

"In  the  heavens,  in  the  clouds,  O,  I  see 
Many  spots — many  dark,  many  red: 
In  the  heavens,  O,  I  see 
Many  clouds. 

"In  the  woods,  in  the  air,  O,  I  hear 
The  whoop,  the  long  yell,  and  the  cry: 
In  the  woods,  O,  I  hear 
The  loud  whoop  ! 

"Manitou!    Manitou!    Manitou1 
Thou  art  weak — thou  art  strong;  I  am  slow: 
Manitou !    Manitou ! 
Give  me  aid." 

At  the  end  of  what  might  be  called  each  verse  he  made  a 
pause,  by  raising  a  note  louder  and  longer  than  common,  that  was 
peculiarly  suited  to  the  sentiment  just  expressed.  The  first  close 
was  solemn,  and  intended  to  convey  the  idea  of  veneration;  the 
second  descriptive,  bordering  on  the  alarming;  and  the  third  was 
the  well  known  and  terrific  war-whoop,  which  burst  from  the  lips 
of  the  young  warrior,  like  a  combination  of  all  the  frightful 
sounds  of  battle.  The  last  was  like  the  first,  humble  and  implor 
ing.  Three  times  did  he  repeat  this  song,  and  as  often  did  he  en 
circle  the  post  in  his  dance. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  337 

At  the  close  of  the  first  turn,  a  grave  and  highly  esteemed 
chief  of  the  Lenape  followed  his  example,  singing  words  of  his 
own,  however,  to  music  of  a  similar  character.  Warrior  after 
warrior  enlisted  in  the  dance,  until  all  of  any  renown  and  author 
ity  were  numbered  in  its  mazes.  The  spectacle  now  became  wildly 
terrific ;  the  fierce-looking  and  menacing  visages  of  the  chiefs  re 
ceiving  additional  power  from  the  appalling  strains  in  which  they 
mingled  their  guttural  tones.  Just  then  Uncas  struck  his  tom 
ahawk  deep  into  the  post,  and  raised  his  voice  in  a  shout,  which 
might  be  termed  his  own  battle-cry.  The  act  announced  that  he 
had  assumed  the  chief  authority  in  the  intended  expedition. 

It  was  a  signal  that  awakened  all  the  slumbering  passions  of 
a  nation.  A  hundred  youths,  who  had  hitherto  been  restrained 
by  the  diffidence  of  their  years,  rushed  in  a  frantic  body  on  the 
fancied  emblem  of  their  enemy,  and  severed  it  asunder,  splinter 
by  splinter,  until  nothing  remained  of  the  trunk  but  its  roots  in 
the  earth.  During  this  moment  of  tumult,  the  most  ruthless  deeds 
of  war  were  performed  on  the  fragments  of  the  tree,  with  as  much 
apparent  ferocity  as  if  they  were  the  living  victims  of  their  cru 
elty.  Some  were  scalped;  some  received  the  keen  and  trembling 
axe;  and  others  suffered  by  thrusts  from  the  fatal  knife.  In 
short,  the  manifestations  of  zeal  and  fierce  delight  were  so  great 
and  unequivocal,  that  the  expedition  was  declared  to  be  a  war  of 
the  nation. 

The  instant  Uncas  had  struck  the  blow,  he  moved  out  of  the 
circle,  and  cast  his  eyes  up  to  the  sun,  which  was  just  gaining  the 
point,  when  the  truce  with  Magua  was  to  end.  The  fact  was  soon 
announced  by  a  significant  gesture,  accompanied  by  a  correspond 
ing  cry ;  and  the  whole  of  the  excited  multitude  abandoned  their 
mimic  warfare,  with  shrill  yells  of  pleasure,  to  prepare  for  the 
more  hazardous  experiment  of  the  reality. 

The  whole  face  of  the  encampment  was  instantly  changed. 
The  warriors,  who  were  already  armed  and  painted,  became  as 
still  as  if  they  were  incapable  of  any  uncommon  burst  of  emotion. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  women  broke  out  of  the  lodges,  with  the 
songs  of  joy  and  those  of  lamentation,  so  strangely  mingled,  that 
it  might  have  been  difficult  to  have  said  which  passion  preponder 
ated.  None,  however,  were  idle.  Some  bore  their  choicest  arti 
cles,  others  their  young,  and  some  their  aged  and  infirm,  into  the 
forest,  which  spread  itself  like  a  verdant  carpet  of  bright  green 
against  the  side  of  the  mountain.  Thither  Tamenund  also  retired, 


338  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

with  calm  composure,  after  a  short  and  touching  interview  with 
Uncas ;  from  whom  the  sage  separated  with  the  reluctance  that  a 
parent  would  quit  a  long  lost  and  just  recovered  child.  In  the 
meantime,  Duncan  saw  Alice  to  a  place  of  safety,  and  then  sought 
the  scout,  with  a  countenance  that  denoted  how  eagerly  he  also 
panted  for  the  approaching  contest. 

But  Hawkeye  was  too  much  accustomed  to  the  war-song  and 
the  enlistments  of  the  natives,  to  betray  any  interest  in  the  passing 
scene.  He  merely  cast  an  occasional  look  at  the  number  and 
quality  of  the  warriors,  who,  from  time  to  time,  signified  their 
readiness  to  accompany  Uncas  to  the  field.  In  this  particular  he 
was  soon  satisfied ;  for,  as  has  been  already  seen,  the  power  of  the 
young  chief  quickly  embraced  every  fighting  man  in  the  nation. 
After  this  material  point  was  so  satisfactorily  decided,  he  de 
spatched  an  Indian  boy  in  quest  of  "Killdeer"  and  the  rifle  of 
Uncas,  to  the  place  where  they  had  deposited  the  weapons  on 
approaching  the  camp  of  the  Delawares;  a  measure  of  double 
policy,  inasmuch  as  it  protected  the  arms  from  their  own  fate,  if 
detained  as  prisoners,  and  gave  them  the  advantage  of  appear 
ing  among  the  strangers  rather  as  sufferers  than  as 'men  provided 
with  the  means  of  defence  and  subsistence.  In  selecting  another 
to  perform  the  office  of  reclaiming  his  highly  prized  rifle,  the  scout 
had  lost  sight  of  none  of  his  habitual  caution.  He  knew  that 
Magua  had  not  come  unattended,  and  he  also  knew  that  Huron 
spies  watched  the  movements  of  their  new  enemies,  along  the 
whole  boundary  of  the  woods.  It  would,  therefore,  have  been 
fatal  to  himself  to  have  attempted  the  experiment;  a  warrior 
would  have  fared  no  better;  but  the  danger  of  a  boy  would  not 
be  likely  to  commence  until  after  his  object  was  discovered. 
When  Hey  ward  joined  him,  the  scout  was  coolly  awaiting  the 
result  of  this  experiment. 

The  boy,  who  had  been  well  instructed,  and  was  sufficiently 
crafty,  proceeded,  with  a  bosom  that  was  swelling  with  the  pride 
of  such  a  confidence,  and  all  the  hopes  of  young  ambition,  care 
lessly  across  the  clearing  to  the  wood,  which  he  entered  at  a  point 
at  some  little  distance  from  the  place  where  the  guns  were 
secreted.  The  instant,  however,  he  was  concealed  by  the  foliage 
of  the  bushes,  his  dusky  form  was  to  be  seen  gliding,  like  that  of  a 
serpent,  towards  the  desired  treasure.  He  was  successful;  and 
in  another  moment  he  appeared  flying  across  the  narrow  opening 
that  skirted  the  base  of  the  terrace  on  which  the  village  stood,  with 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  339 

the  velocity  of  an  arrow,  and  bearing  a  prize  in  each  hand.  He 
had  actually  gained  the  crags,  and  was  leaping  up  their  sides  with 
incredible  activity,  when  a  shot  from  the  woods  showed  how  accu 
rate  had  been  the  judgment  of  the  scout.  The  boy  answered  it 
with  a  feeble  but  contemptuous  shout;  and  immediately  a  second 
bullet  was  sent  after  him  from  another  part  of  the  cover.  At  the 
next  instant  he  appeared  on  the  level  above,  elevating  his  guns  in 
triumph,  while  he  moved  with  the  air  of  a  conqueror  towards  the 
renowned  hunter  who  had  honored  him  by  so  glorious  a  com 
mission. 

Notwithstanding  the  lively  interest  Hawkeye  had  taken  in 
the  fate  of  his  messenger,  he  received  "Killdeer"  with  a  satisfac 
tion  that,  momentarily,  drove  all  other  recollections  from  his 
mind.  After  examining  the  piece  with  an  intelligent  eye,  and 
opening  and  shutting  the  pan  some  ten  or  fifteen  times,  and  try 
ing  sundry  other  equally  important  experiments  on  the  lock,  he 
turned  to  the  boy,  and  demanded  with  great  manifestations  of 
kindness,  if  he  was  hurt.  The  urchin  looked  proudly  up  in  his 
fac«,  but  made  no  reply. 

"Ah!  I  see,  lad,  the  knaves  have  barked  your  arm!"  added  the 
scout,  taking  up  the  limb  of  the  patient  sufferer,  across  which  a 
deep  flesh  wound  had  been  .made  by  one  of  the  bullets;  "but  a 
little  bruised  alder  will  act  like  a  charm.  In  the  meantime  I  will 
wrap  it  in  a  badge  of  wampum!  You  have  commenced  the  busi 
ness  of  a  warrior  early,  my  brave  boy,  and  are  likely  to  bear  a 
plenty  of  honorable  scars  to  your  grave.  I  know  many  young 
men  that  have  taken  scalps  who  cannot  show  such  a  mark  as  this. 
Go!"  having  bound  up  the  arm;  "you  will  be  a  chief!" 

The  lad  departed,  prouder  of  his  flowing  blood  than  the  vain 
est  courtier  could  be  of  his  blushing  ribbon;  and  stalked  among 
the  fellows  of  his  age,  an  object  of  general  admiration  and  envy. 

But  in  a  moment  of  so  many  serious  and  important  duties, 
this  single  act  of  juvenile  fortitude  did  not  attract  the  general 
notice  and  commendation  it  would  have  received  under  milder 
auspices.  It  had,  however,  served  to  apprise  the  Delawares  of 
the  position  and  the  intentions  of  their  enemies.  Accordingly  a 
party  of  adventurers,  better  suited  to  the  task  than  the  weak 
though  spirited  boy,  was  ordered  to  dislodge  the  skulkers.  The 
duty  was  soon  performed ;  for  most  of  the  Hurons  retired  of  them 
selves  when  they  found  they  had  been  discovered.  The  Dela 
wares  followed  to  a  sufficient  distance  from  their  own  encamp- 


340  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

ment,  and  then  halted  for  orders,  apprehensive  of  being  led  into 
an  ambush.  As  both  parties  secreted  themselves,  the  woods  were 
again  as  still  and  quiet  as  a  mild  summer  morning  and  deep  soli 
tude  could  render  them. 

The  calm  but  still  impatient  Uncas  now  collected  his  chiefs, 
and  divided  his  power.  He  presented  Hawkeye  as  a  warrior, 
often  tried,  and  always  found  deserving  of  confidence.  When  he 
found  his  friend  met  with  a  favorable  reception,  he  bestowed  on 
him  the  command  of  twenty  men,  like  himself,  active,  skilful,  and 
resolute.  He  gave  the  Delawares  to  understand  the  rank  of 
Heyward  among  the  troops  of  the  Yengeese,  and  then  tendered 
to  him  a  trust  of  equal  authority.  But  Duncan  declined  the 
charge,  professing  his  readiness  to  serve  as  a  volunteer  by  the 
side  of  the  scout.  After  this  disposition,  the  young  Mohican  ap 
pointed  various  native  chiefs  to  fill  the  different  situations  of 
responsibility,  and  the  time  pressing,  he  gave  forth  the  word  to 
march.  He  was  cheerfully,  but  silently,  obeyed  by  more  than 
two  hundred  men. 

Their  entrance  into  the  forest  was  perfectly  unmolested;  nor 
did  they  encounter  any  living  objects,  that  could  either  give  the 
alarm,  or  furnish  the  intelligence  they  needed,  until  they  came 
upon  the  lairs  of  their  own  scouts.  Here  a  halt  was  ordered,  and 
the  chiefs  were  assembled  to  hold  a  "whispering  council." 

At  this  meeting  divers  plans  of  operation  were  suggested, 
though  none  of  a  character  to  meet  the  wishes  of  their  ardent 
leader.  Had  Uncas  followed  the  promptings  of  his  own  inclina 
tions,  he  would  have  led  his  followers  to  the  charge  without  a  mo 
ment's  delay,  and  put  the  conflict  to  the  hazard  of  an  instant 
issue;  but  such  a  course  would  have  been  in  opposition  to  all  the 
received  practices  and  opinions  of  his  countrymen.  He  was, 
therefore,  fain  to  adopt  a  caution  that  in  the  present  temper  of 
his  mind  he  execrated,  and  to  listen  to  advice  at  which  his  fiery 
spirit  chafed,  under  the  vivid  recollection  of  Cora's  danger  and 
Magua's  insolence. 

After  an  unsatisfactory  conference  of  many  minutes,  a  soli 
tary  individual  was  seen  advancing  from  the  side  of  the  enemy, 
with  such  apparent  haste,  as  to  induce  the  belief  he  might  be  a 
messenger  charged  with  pacific  overtures.  When  within  a  hun 
dred  yards,  however,  of  the  cover  behind  which  the  Delaware 
council  had  assembled,  the  stranger  hesitated,  appeared  uncer- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  341 

tain  what  course  to  take,  and  finally  halted.  All  eyes  were  now 
turned  on  Uncas,  as  if  seeking  directions  how  to  proceed. 

"Hawkeye,"  said  the  young  chief,  in  a  low  voice,  "he  must 
never  speak  to  the  Hurons  again." 

"His  time  has  come,"  said  the  laconic  scout,  thrusting  the  long 
barrel  of  his  rifle  through  the  leaves,  and  taking  his  deliberate 
and  fatal  aim.  But,  instead  of  pulling  the  trigger  he  lowered 
the  muzzle  again,  and  indulged  himself  in  a  fit  of  his  peculiar 
mirth.  "I  took  the  imp  for  a  Mingo,  as  I'm  a  miserable  sinner!" 
he  said;  "but  when  my  eye  ranged  along  his  ribs  for  a  place  to 
get  the  bullet  in — would  you  think  it,  Uncas — I  saw  the  musi- 
cianer's  blower;  and  so,  after  all,  it  is  the  man  they  call  Gamut, 
whose  death  can  profit  no  one,  and  whose  life,  if  his  tongue  can 
do  anything  but  sing,  may  be  made  serviceable  to  our  own  ends. 
If  sounds  have  not  lost  their  virtue,  I'll  soon  have  a  discourse 
with  the  honest  fellow,  and  that  in  a  voice  he'll  find  more  agree 
able  than  the  speech  of  'Killdeer.'  ' 

So  saying,  Hawkeye  laid  aside  his  rifle;  and  crawling  through 
the  bushes  until  within  hearing  of  David,  he  attempted  to  repeat 
the  musical  effort,  which  had  conducted  himself,  with  so  much 
safety  and  eclat,  through  the  Huron  encampment.  The  exquisite 
organs  of  Gamut  could  not  readily  be  deceived  (and,  to  say  the 
truth,  it  would  have  been  difficult  for  any  other  than  Hawkeye 
to  produce  a  similar  noise),  and  consequently,  having  once  before 
heard  the  sounds,  he  now  knew  whence  they  proceeded.  The  poor 
fellow  appeared  relieved  from  a  state  of  great  embarrassment; 
for  pursuing  the  direction  of  the  voice — a  task  that  to  him  was 
not  much  less  arduous  than  it  would  have  been  to  have  gone  up 
in  the  face  of  a  battery — he  soon  discovered  the  hidden  songster. 

"I  wonder  what  the  Hurons  will  think  of  that!"  said  the  scout, 
laughing,  as  he  took  his  companion  by  the  arm,  and  urged  him 
towards  the  rear.  "If  the  knaves  lie  within  ear-shot,  they  will 
say  there  are  two  non-compossers  instead  of  one!  But  here  we 
are  safe,"  he  added,  pointing  to  Uncas  and  his  associates.  "Now 
give  us  the  history  of  the  Mingo  .inventions  in  natural  English, 
and  without  any  ups  and  downs  of  voice." 

David  gazed  about  him,  at  the  fierce  and  wild-looking  chiefs, 
in  mute  wonder;  but  assured  by  the  presence  of  faces  that  he 
knew,  he  soon  rallied  his  faculties  so  far  as  to  make  an  intelligent 
reply. 

"The  heathen  are  abroad  in  goodly  numbers,"  said  David, 


342  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"and,  I  fear,  with  evil  intent.  There  has  been  much  howling  and 
ungodly  revelry,  together  with  such  sounds  as  it  is  profanity  to 
utter,  in  their  habitations  within  the  past  hour;  so  much  so,  in 
truth,  that  I  have  fled  to  the  Delawares  in  search  of  peace." 

"Your  ears  might  not  have  profited  much  by  the  exchange, 
had  you  been  quicker  of  foot,"  returned  the  scout,  a  little  dryly. 
"But  let  that  be  as  it  may;  where  are  the  Hurons?" 

"They  lie  hid  in  the  forest,  between  this  spot  and  their  village, 
in  such  force,  that  prudence  would  teach  you  instantly  to  return." 

Uncas  cast  a  glance  along  the  range  of  trees  which  concealed 
his  own  band  and  mentioned  the  name  of — 

"Magua?" 

"Is  among  them.  He  brought  in  the  maiden  that  had  so 
journed  with  the  Delawares,  and  leaving  her  in  the  cave,  has  put 
himself,  like  a  raging  wolf,  at  the  head  of  his  savages.  I  know 
not  what  has  troubled  his  spirit  so  greatly!" 

"He  has  left  her,  you  say,  in  the  cave!"  interrupted  Heyward; 
"'tis  well  that  we  know  its  situation !  May  not  something  be  done 
for  her  instant  relief?" 

Uncas  looked  earnestly  at  the  scout,  before  he  asked,— 

"What  says  Hawkeye?" 

"Give  me  twenty  rifles,  and  I  will  turn  to  the  right,  along  the 
stream;  and  passing  by  the  huts  of  the  beaver,  will  join  the  Sag 
amore  and  the  colonel.  You  shall  then  hear  the  whoop  from  that 
quarter;  with  this  wind  one  may  easily  send  it  a  mile.  Then, 
Uncas,  do  you  drive  in  their  front ;  when  they  come  within  range 
of  our  pieces,  we  will  give  them  a  blow  that,  I  pledge  the  good 
name  of  an  old  frontiersman,  shall  make  their  line  bend  like  an 
ashen  bow.  After  which,  we  will  carry  their  village,  and  take 
the  woman  from  the  cave;  when  the  affair  may  be  finished  with 
the  tribe,  according  to  a  white  man's  battle,  by  a  blow  and  a  vic 
tory  ;  or,  in  the  Indian  fashion,  with  dodge  and  cover.  There  may 
be  no  great  learning,  major,  in  this  plan,  but  with  courage  and 
patience  it  can  all  be  done." 

"I  like  it  much,"  cried  Duncan,  who  saw  the  release  of  Cora 
was  the  primary  object  in  the  mind  of  the  scout;  "I  like  it  much. 
Let  it  be  instantly  attempted." 

After  a  short  conference,  the  plan  was  matured,  and  ren 
dered  more  intelligible  to  the  several  parties ;  the  different  signals 
were  appointed,  and  the  chiefs  separated,  each  to  his  allotted 
station. 


CHAPTER   XXXII 

"But  plagues  shall  spread,  and   funeral  fires  increase, 
Till  the  great  king,  without  a  ransom  paid, 
To  her  own  Chrysa  send  the  black-eyed  maid." 

POPE. 

DURING  the  time  Uncas  was  making  this  disposition  of  his 
forces,  the  woods  were  still,  and,  with  the  exception  of  those  who 
had  met  in  council,  apparently  as  much  untenanted,  as  when 
they  came  fresh  from  the  hands  of  their  Almighty  Creator.  The 
eye  could  range,  in  every  direction,  through  the  long  and  shad 
owed  vistas  of  the  trees;  but  nowhere  was  any  object  to  be  seen 
that  did  not  properly  belong  to  the  peaceful  and  slumbering  scen 
ery.  Here  and  there  a  bird  was  heard  fluttering  among  the 
branches  of  the  beeches,  and  occasionally  a  squirrel  dropped  a 
nut,  drawing  the  startled  looks  of  the  party,  for  a  moment,  to  the 
place ;  but  the  instant  the  casual  interruption  ceased,  the  passing 
air  was  heard  murmuring  above  their  heads,  along  that  verdant 
and  undulating  surface  of  forest,  which  spread  itself  unbroken, 
unless  by  stream  or  lake,  over  such  a  vast  region  of  country. 
Across  the  tract  of  wilderness,  which  lay  between  the  Delawares 
and  the  village  of  their  enemies,  it  seemed  as  if  the  foot  of  man 
had  never  trodden,  so  breathing  and  deep  was  the  silence  in  which 
it  lay.  But  Hawkey e,  whose  duty  led  him  foremost  in  the  ad 
venture,  knew  the  character  of  those  with  whom  he  was  about  to 
contend  too  well  to  trust  the  treacherous  quiet. 

When  he  saw  his  little  band  collected,  the  scout  threw  "Kill- 
deer"  into  the  hollow  of  his  arm,  and  making  a  silent  signal  that 
he  would  be  followed,  he  led  them  many  rods  towards  the  rear, 
into  the  bed  of  a  little  brook  which  they  had  crossed  in  advancing. 
Here  he  halted ;  and  after  waiting  for  the  whole  of  his  grave  and 
attentive  warriors  to  close  about  him,  he  spoke  in  Delaware, 
demanding — 

"Do  any  of  my  voung  men  know  whither  this  run  will  lead 
us?" 

A  Delaware  stretched  forth  a  hand,  with  the  two  fingers 
separated,  and  indicating  the  manner  in  which  they  were  joined 
at  the  root,  he  answered,— 

343 


344  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Before  the  sun  could  go  his  own  length,  the  little  water  will 
be  in  the  big."  Then  he  added,  pointing  in  the  direction  of  the 
place  he  mentioned,  "the  two  make  enough  for  the  beavers." 

"I  thought  as  much,"  returned  the  scout,  glancing  his  eye 
upwards  at  the  opening  in  the  tree-tops,  "from  the  course  it  takes, 
and  the  bearings  of  the  mountains.  Men,  we  will  keep  within 
the  cover  of  its  banks  till  we  scent  the  Hurons." 

His  companions  gave  the  usual  brief  exclamation  of  assent, 
but  perceiving  that  their  leader  was  about  to  lead  the  way  in  per 
son,  one  or  two  made  signs  that  all  was  not  as  it  should  be. 
Hawkeye,  who  comprehended  their  meaning  glances,  turned,  and 
perceived  that  his  party  had  been  followed  thus  far  by  the  singing- 
master. 

"Do  you  know,  friend,"  asked  the  scout  gravely,  and  perhaps 
with  a  little  of  the  pride  of  conscious  deserving  in  his  manner, 
"that  this  is  a  band  of  rangers  chosen  for  the  most  desperate 
service,  and  put  under  the  command  of  one  who,  though  another 
might  say  it  with  a  better  face,  will  not  be  apt  to  leave  them  idle. 
It  may  not  be  five,  it  cannot  be  thirty  minutes  before  we  tread  on 
the  body  of  a  Huron,  living  or  dead." 

"Though  not  admonished  of  your  intentions  in  words,"  re 
turned  David,  whose  face  was  a  little  flushed,  and  whose  ordi 
narily  quiet  and  unmeaning  eyes  glimmered  with  an  expression 
of  unusual  fire,  "your  men  have  reminded  me  of  the  children  of 
Jacob  going  out  to  battle  against  the  Shechemites,  for  wickedly 
aspiring  to  wedlock  with  a  woman  of  a  race  that  was  favored  of 
the  Lord.  Now,  I  have  journeyed  far,  and  sojourned  much  in 
good  and  evil  with  the  maiden  ye  seek ;  and  though  not  a  man  of 
war,  with  my  loins  girded  and  my  sword  sharpened,  yet  would 
I  gladly  strike  a  blow  in  her  behalf." 

The  scout  hesitated,  as  if  weighing  the  chances  of  such  a 
strange  enlistment  in  his  mind  before  he  answered, — 

"You  know  not  the  use  of  any  we'pon.  You  carry  no  rifle; 
and  believe  me,  what  the  Mingos  take  they  will  freely  give  again." 

"Though  not  a  vaunting  and  bloodily  disposed  Goliath,"  re 
turned  David,  drawing  a  sling  from  beneath  his  parti-colored  and 
uncouth  attire,  "I  have  not  forgotten  the  example  of  the  Jewish 
boy.  With  this  ancient  instrument  of  war  have  I  practised  much 
in  my  youth,  and  peradventure  the  skill  has  not  entirely  departed 
from  me." 

"Ay!"  said  Hawkeye,  considering  the  deer-skin  thong  and 


THE   LAST   OF   THE   MOHICANS  345 

apron,  with  a  cold  and  discouraging  eye ;  "the  thing  might  do  its 
work  among  arrows,  or  even  knives ;  but  these  Mengwe  have  been 
furnished  by  the  Frenchers  with  a  good  grooved  barrel  a  man. 
However,  it  seems  to  be  your  gift  to  go  unharmed  amid  fire ;  and 
as  you  have  hitherto  been  favored — major,  you  have  left  your 
rifle  at  a  cock;  a  single  shot  before  the  time  would  be  just  twenty 
scalps  lost  to  no  purpose — singer,  you  can  follow;  we  may  find 
use  for  you  in  the  shoutings." 

"I  thank  you,  friend,"  returned  David,  supplying  himself, 
like  his  royal  namesake,  from  among  the  pebbles  of  the  brook; 
"though  not  given  to  the  desire  to  kill,  had  you  sent  me  away  my 
spirit  would  have  been  troubled." 

"Remember,"  added  the  scout,  tapping  his  own  head  sig 
nificantly  on  that  spot  where  Gamut  was  yet  sore,  "we  come  to 
fight,  and  not  to  musickate.  Until  the  general  whoop  is  given, 
nothing  speaks  but  the  rifle." 

David  nodded,  as  much  as  to  signify  his  acquiescence  with  the 
terms;  and  then  Hawkeye,  casting  another  observant  glance  over 
his  followers,  made  the  signal  to  proceed. 

Their  route  lay,  for  the  distance  of  a  mile,  along  the  bed  of 
the  water-course.  Though  protected  from  any  great  danger  of 
observation  by  the  precipitous  banks,  and  the  thick  shrubbery 
which  skirted  the  stream,  no  precaution  known  to  an  Indian  at 
tack  was  neglected.  A  warrior  rather  crawled  than  walked  on 
each  flank,  so  as  to  catch  occasional  glimpses  into  the  forest;  and 
every  few  minutes  the  band  came  to  a  halt,  and  listened  for  hostile 
sounds,  with  an  acuteness  of  organs  that  would  be  scarcely  con 
ceivable  to  a  man  in  a  less  natural  state.  Their  march  was,  how 
ever,  unmolested,  and  they  reached  the  point  where  the  lesser 
stream  was  lost  in  the  greater,  without  the  smallest  evidence  that 
their  progress  had  been  noted.  Here  the  scout  again  halted,  to 
consult  the  signs  of  the  forest. 

"We  are  likely  to  have  a  good  day  for  a  fight,"  he  said,  in 
English,  addressing  Heyward,  and  glancing  his  eye  upwards  at 
the  clouds,  which  began  to  move  in  broad  sheets  across  the  firma 
ment;  "a  bright  sun  and  a  glittering  barrel  are  no  friends  to  true 
sight.  Everything  is  favorable;  they  have  the  wind,  which  will 
bring  down  their  noises  and  their  smoke  too,  no  little  matter  in 
itself;  whereas,  with  us  it  will  be  first  a  shot,  and  then  a'  clear 
view.  But  here  is  an  end  of  our  cover ;  the  beavers  have  had  the 
range  of  this  stream  for  hundreds  of  years,  and  what  atween  their 


346  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

food  and  their  dams,  there  is,  as  you  see,  many  a  girdled  stub,  but 
few  living  trees." 

Hawkeye  had,  in  truth,  in  these  few  words,  given  no  bad 
description  of  the  prospect  that  now  lay  in  their  front.  The 
brook  was  irregular  in  its  width,  sometimes  shooting  through 
narrow  fissures  in  the  rocks,  and  at  others  spreading  over  acres  of 
bottom  land,  forming  little  areas  that  might  be  termed  ponds. 
Everywhere  along  its  banks  were  the  mouldering  relics  of  dead 
trees,  in  all  the  stages  of  decay,  from  those  that  groaned  on  their 
tottering  trunks  to  such  as  had  recently  been  robbed  of  those 
rugged  coats  that  so  mysteriously  contain  their  principle  of  life. 
A  few  long,  low,  and  moss-covered  piles  were  scattered  among 
them,  like  the  memorials  of  a  former  and  long-departed  gen 
eration. 

All  these  minute  particulars  were  noted  by  the  scout,  with 
a  gravity  and  interest  that  they  probably  had  never  before  at 
tracted.  He  knew  that  the  Huron  encampment  lay  a  short  half 
mile  up  the  brook ;  and,  with  the  characteristic  anxiety  of  one  who 
dreaded  a  hidden  danger,  he  was  greatly  troubled  at  not  finding 
the  smallest  trace  of  the  presence  of  his  enemy.  Once  or  twice 
he  felt  induced  to  give  the  order  for  a  rush,  and  to  attempt  the 
village  by  surprise;  but  his  experience  quickly  admonished  him 
of  the  danger  of  so  useless  an  experiment.  Then  he  listened  in 
tently,  and  with  painful  uncertainty,  for  the  sounds  of  hostility 
in  the  quarter  where  Uncas  was  left;  but  nothing  was  audible 
except  the  sighing  of  the  wind,  that  began  to  sweep  over  the 
bosom  of  the  forest  in  gusts  which  threatened  a  tempest.  At 
length,  yielding  rather  to  his  unusual  impatience  than  taking 
counsel  from  his  knowledge,  he  determined  to  bring  matters  to 
an  issue,  by  unmasking  his  force,  and  proceeding  cautiously,  but 
steadily,  up  the  stream. 

The  scout  had  stood,  while  making  his  observations,  sheltered 
by  a  brake,  and  his  companions  still  lay  in  the  bed  of  the  ravine, 
through  which  the  smaller  stream  debouched;  but  on  hearing  his 
low,  though  intelligible  signal,  the  whole  party  stole  up  the  bank, 
like  so  many  dark  spectres,  and  silently  arranged  themselves 
around  him.  Pointing  in  the  direction  he  wished  to  proceed, 
Hawkeye  advanced,  the  band  breaking  off  in  single  files,  and  fol 
lowing  so  accurately  in  his  footsteps,  as  if  to  leave  it,  if  we  except 
Heyward  and  David,  the  trail  of  but  a  single  man. 

The  party  was,  however,  scarcely  uncovered  before  a  volley 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  347 

from  a  dozen  rifles  was  heard  in  their  rear;  and  a  Delaware  leap 
ing  high  into  the  air,  like  a  wounded  deer,  fell  at  his  whole  length, 
perfectly  dead. 

"All!  I  feared  some  deviltry  like  this!"  exclaimed  the  scout,  in 
English;  adding,  with  the  quickness  of  thought,  in  his  adopted 
tongue,  "To  cover,  men,  and  charge!" 

The  hand  dispersed  at  the  word,  and  before  Heyward  had 
well  recovered  from  his  surprise,  he  found  himself  standing  alone 
with  David.  Luckily,  the  Hurons  had  already  fallen  back,  and 
he  was  safe  from  their  fire.  But  this  state  of  things  was  evidently 
to  be  of  short  continuance ;  for  the  scout  set  the  example  of  press 
ing  on  their  retreat,  by  discharging  his  rifle,  and  darting  from 
tree  to  tree,  as  his  enemy  slowly  yielded  ground. 

It  would  seem  that  the  assault  had  been  made  by  a  very  small 
party  of  the  Hurons,  which,  however,  continued  to  increase  in 
numbers,  as  it  retired  on  its  friends,  until  the  return  fire  was  very 
nearly,  if  not  quite,  equal  to  that  maintained  by  the  advancing 
Delawares.  Heyward  threw  himself  among  the  combatants,  and 
imitating  the  necessary  caution  of  his  companions,  he  made  quick 
discharges  with  his  own  rifle.  The  contest  now  grew  warm  and 
stationary.  Few  were  injured,  as  both  parties  kept  their  bodies 
as  much  protected  as  possible  by  the  trees ;  never,  indeed,  exposing 
any  part  of  their  persons  except  in  the  act  of  taking  aim.  But 
the  chances  were  gradually  growing  unfavorable  to  Hawkeye 
and  his  band.  The  quick-sighted  scout  perceived  his  danger, 
without  knowing  how  to  remedy  it.  He  saw  it  was  more  dan 
gerous  to  retreat  than  to  maintain  his  ground;  while  he  found  his 
enemy  throwing  out  men  on  his  flank,  which  rendered  the  task  of 
keeping  themselves  covered  so  very  difficult  to  the  Delawares, 
as  nearly  to  silence  their  fire.  At  this  embarrassing  moment, 
when  they  began  to  think  the  whole  of  the  hostile  tribe  was  grad 
ually  encircling  them,  they  heard  the  yell  of  combatants,  and  the 
rattling  of  arms,  echoing  under  the  arches  of  the  wood,  at  the 
place  where  Uncas  was  posted ;  a  bottom  which,  in  a  manner,  lay 
beneath  the  ground  on  which  Hawkeye  and  his  party  were  con 
tending. 

The  effects  of  this  attack  were  instantaneous,  and  to  the  scout 
and  his  friends  greatly  relieving.  It  would  seem  that,  while  his 
own  surprise  had  been  anticipated,  and  had  consequently  failed, 
the  enemy,  in  their  turn,  having  been  deceived  in  its  object  and 
in  his  numbers,  had  left  too  small  a  force  to  resist  the  impetuous 


348  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

onset  of  the  young  Mohican.  This  fact  was  doubly  apparent,  by 
the  rapid  manner  in  which  the  battle  in  the  forest  rolled  upwards 
towards  the  village,  and  by  an  instant  falling  off  in  the  number 
of  their  assailants,  who  rushed  to  assist  in  maintaining  the  front, 
and,  as  it  now  proved  to  be,  the  principal  point  of  defence. 

Animating  his  followers  by  his  voice,  and  his  own  example, 
Hawkeye  then  gave  the  word  to  bear  down  upon  their  foes.  The 
charge,  in  that  rude  species  of  warfare,  consisted  merely  in  push 
ing  from  cover  to  cover,  nigher  to  the  enemy;  and  in  this  ma 
noeuvre  he  was  instantly  and  successfully  obeyed.  The  Hurons 
were  compelled  to  withdraw,  and  the  scene  of  the  contest  rapidly 
changed  from  the  more  open  ground  on  which  it  had  commenced, 
to  a  spot  where  the  assailed  found  a  thicket  to  rest  upon.  Here 
the  struggle  was  protracted,  arduous,  and  seemingly  of  doubtful 
issue ;  the  Delawares,  though  none  of  them  fell,  beginning  to  bleed 
freely,  in  consequence  of  the  disadvantage  at  which  they  were 
held. 

In  this  crisis,  Hawkeye  found  means  to  get  behind  the  same 
tree  as  that  which  served  for  a  cover  to  Hey  ward;  most  of  his 
own  combatants  being  within  call,  a  little  on  his  right,  where  they 
maintained  rapid,  though  fruitless,  discharges  on  their  sheltered 
enemies. 

"You  are  a  young  man,  major,"  said  the  scout,  dropping  the 
butt  of  "Killdeer"  to  the  earth,  and  leaning  on  the  barrel,  a  little 
fatigued  with  his  previous  industry;  "and  it  may  be  your  gift  to 
lead  armies  at  some  future  day  ag'in  these  imps  the  Mingos. 
You  may  here  see  the  philosophy  of  an  Indian  fight.  It  consists 
mainly  in  a  ready  hand,  a  quick  eye,  and  a  good  cover.  Now, 
if  you  had  a  company  of  the  Royal  Americans  here,  in  what  man 
ner  would  you  set  them  to  work  in  this  business?" 

"The  bayonet  would  make  a  road." 

"Ay,  there  is  white  reason  in  what  you  say;  but  a  man  must 

ask  himself,  in  this  wilderness,  how  many  lives  he  can  spare.     No 

—horse,"  1  continued  the  scout,  shaking  his  head,  like  one  who 

mused ;  "horse,  I  am  ashamed  to  say,  must,  sooner  or  later,  decide 

i  The  American  forest  admits  of  the  passage  of  horse,  there  being  little  underbush, 
and  few  tangled  brakes.  The  plan  of  Hawkeye  is  the  one  which  has  always  proved  the 
most  successful  in  the  battles  between  the  whites  and  the  Indians.  Wayne,  in  his  cele 
brated  campaign  on  the  Miami,  received  the  fire  of  his  enemies  in  line;  and  then  causing 
his  dragoons  to  wheel  round  his  flanks,  the  Indians  were  driven  from  their  covers  before 
they  had  time  to  load.  One  of  the  most  conspicuous  of  the  chiefs  who  fought  in  the 
battle  of  Miami  assured  the  writer,  that  the  redmen  could  not  fight  the  warriors  with 
"long  knives  and  leather-stockings";  meaning  the  dragoons  with  their  sabres  and  boots. 


THE   LAST    OF   THE   MOHICANS  349 

these  scrimmages.  The  brutes  are  better  than  men,  and  to  horse 
must  we  come  at  last.  Put  a  shodden  hoof  on  the  moccasin  of  a 
redskin ;  and  if  his  rifle  be  once  emptied,  he  will  never  stop  to  load 
it  again." 

"This  is  a  subject  that  might  better  be  discussed  at  another 
time,"  returned  Heyward;  "shall  we  charge?" 

"I  see  no  contradiction  to  the  gifts  of  any  man,  in  passing 
his  breathing  spells  in  useful  reflections,"  the  scout  replied.  "As 
to  a  rush,  I  little  relish  such  a  measure ;  for  a  scalp  or  two  must 
be  thrown  away  in  the  attempt.  And  yet,"  he  added,  bending 
his  head  aside,  to  catch  the  sounds  of  the  distant  combat,  "if  we 
are  to  be  of  use  to  Uncas,  these  knaves  in  our  front  must  be  got 
rid  of!" 

Then  turning,  with  a  prompt  and  decided  air,  he  called  aloud 
to  his  Indians,  in  their  own  language.  His  words  were  answered 
by  a  shout;  and,  at  a  given  signal,  each  warrior  made  a  swift 
movement  around  his  particular  tree.  The  sight  of  so  many  dark 
bodies,  glancing  before  their  eyes  at  the  same  instant,  drew  a 
hasty,  and  consequently  an  ineffectual  fire  from  the  Hurons. 
Without  stopping  to  breathe,  the  Delawares  leaped,  in  long 
bounds,  towards  the  wood,  like  so  many  panthers  springing  upon 
their  prey.  Hawkeye  was  in  front,  brandishing  his  terrible  rifle, 
and  animating  his  followers  by  his  example.  A  few  of  the  older 
and  more  cunning  Hurons,  who  had  not  been  deceived  by  the 
artifice  which  had  been  practised  to  draw  their  fire,  now  made  a 
close  and  deadly  discharge  of  their  pieces,  and  justified  the  appre 
hensions  of  the  scout,  by  felling  three  of  his  foremost  warriors. 
But  the  shock  was  insufficient  to  repel  the  impetus  of  the  charge. 
The  Delawares  broke  into  the  cover  with  the  ferocity  of  their 
natures,  and  swept  away  every  trace  of  resistance  by  the  fury  of 
the  onset. 

The  combat  endured  only  for  an  instant,  hand  to  hand,  and 
then  the  assailed  yielded  ground  rapidly,  until  they  reached  the 
opposite  margin  of  the  thicket,  where  they  clung  to  the  cover, 
with  the  sort  of  obstinacy  that  is  so  often  witnessed  in  hunted 
brutes.  At  this  critical  moment,  when  the  success  of  the  struggle 
was  again  becoming  doubtful,  the  crack  of  the  rifle  was  heard 
behind  the  Hurons,  and  a  bullet  came  whizzing  from  among  some 
beaver  lodges,  which  were  situated  in  the  clearing,  in  their  rear, 
and  was  followed  by  the  fierce  and  appalling  yell  of  the  war- 
whoop. 


350  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

''There  speaks  the  Sagamore!"  shouted  Hawkeye,  answering 
the  cry  with  his  own  stentorian  voice;  "we  have  them  now  in  face 
and  back!" 

The  effect  on  the  Hurons  was  instantaneous.  Discouraged 
by  an  assault  from  a  quarter  that  left  them  no  opportunity  for 
cover,  their  warriors  uttered  a  common  yell  of  disappointment, 
and  breaking  off  in  a  body,  they  spread  themselves  across  the 
opening,  heedless  of  every  consideration  but  flight.  Many  fell, 
in  making  the  experiment,  under  the  bullets  and  the  blows  of  the 
pursuing  Delawares. 

We  shall  not  pause  to  detail  the  meeting  between  the  scout 
and  .Chingachgook,  or  the  more  touching  interview  that  Duncan 
held  with  Munro.  A  few  brief  and  hurried  words  served  to  ex 
plain  the  state  of  things  to  both  parties;  and  then  Hawkeye 
pointing  out  the  Sagamore  to  his  band,  resigned  the  chief  author 
ity  into  the  hands  of  the  Mohican  chief.  Chingachgook  assumed 
the  station  to  which  his  birth  and  experience  gave  him  so  distin 
guished  a  claim,  with  the  grave  dignity  that  always  gives  force  to 
the  mandates  of  a  native  warrior.  Following  the  footsteps  of  the 
scout,  he  led  the  party  back  through  the  thicket,  his  men  scalping 
the  fallen  Hurons,  and  secreting  the  bodies  of  their  own  dead  as 
they  proceeded,  until  they  gained  a  point  where  the  former  was 
content  to  make  a  halt. 

The  warriors,  who  had  breathed  themselves  freely  in  the  pre 
ceding  struggle,  were  now  posted  on  a  bit  of  level  ground, 
sprinkled  with  trees  in  sufficient  numbers  to  conceal  them.  The 
land  fell  away  rather  precipitately  in  front,  and  beneath  their 
eyes  stretched,  for  several  miles,  a  narrow,  dark,  and  wooded 
vale.  It  was  through  this  dense  and  dark  forest  that  Uncas  was 
still  contending  with  the  main  body  of  the  Hurons. 

The  Mohican  and  his  friends  advanced  to  the  brow  of  the  hill, 
and  listened,  with  practised  ears,  to  the  sounds  of  the  combat. 
A  few  birds  hovered  over  the  leafy  bosom  of  the  valley,  frightened 
from  their  secluded  nests;  and  here  and  there  a  light  vapory 
cloud,  which  seemed  already  blending  with  the  atmosphere,  arose 
above  the  trees,  and  indicated  some  spot  where  the  struggle  had 
been  fierce  and  stationary. 

"The  fight  is  coming  up  the  ascent,"  said  Duncan,  pointing  in 
the  direction  of  a  new  explosion  of  fire-arms;  "we  are  too  much 
in  the  centre  of  their  line  to  be  effective." 

"They  will  incline  into  the  hollow,  where  the  cover  is  thicker," 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  351 

said  the  scout,  "and  that  will  leave  us  well  on  their  flank.  Go, 
Sagamore;  you  will  hardly  be  in  time  to  give  the  whoop,  and  lead 
on  the  young  men.  I  will  fight  this  scrimmage  with  warriors  of 
my  own  color.  You  know  me,  Mohican;  not  a  Huron  of  them 
all  shall  cross  the  swell,  into  your  rear,  without  the  notice  of 
'Killdeer.' ' 

The  Indian  chief  paused  another  moment  to  consider  the  signs 
of  the  contest,  which  was  now  rolling  rapidly  up  the  ascent,  a  cer 
tain  evidence  that  the  Delawares  triumphed;  nor  did  he  actually 
quit  the  place  until  admonished  of  the  proximity  of  his  friends, 
as  well  as  enemies,  by  the  bullets  of  the  former,  which  began  to 
patter  among  the  dried  leaves  on  the  ground,  like  the  bits  of 
falling  hail  which  precede  the  bursting  of  the  tempest.  Hawkeye 
and  his  three  companions  withdrew  a  few  paces  to  a  shelter,  and 
awaited  the  issue  with  calmness,  that  nothing  but  great  practice 
could  impart  in  such  a  scene. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  reports  of  the  rifles  began  to  lose 
the  echoes  of  the  woods,  and  to  sound  like  weapons  discharged  in 
the  open  air.  Then  a  warrior  appeared,  here  and  there,  driven  to 
the  skirts  of  the  forest,  and  rallying  as  he  entered  the  clearing,  as 
at  the  place  where  the  final  stand  was  to  be  made.  These  were 
soon  joined  by  the  others,  until  a  long  line  of  swarthy  figures  was 
to  be  seen  clinging  to  the  cover  with  the  obstinacy  of  desperation. 
Heyward  began  to  grow  impatient,  and  turned  his  eyes  anxiously 
in  the  direction  of  Chingachgook.  The  chief  was  seated  on  a 
rock,  with  nothing  visible  but  his  calm  visage,  considering  the 
spectacle  with  an  eye  as  deliberate  as  if  he  were  posted  there 
merely  to  view  the  struggle. 

"The  time  is  come  for  the  Delawares  to  strike!"  said  Duncan. 

"Not  so,  not  so,"  returned  the  scout;  "when  he  scents  his 
friends,  he  will  let  them  know  that  he  is  here.  See,  see;  the 
knaves  are  getting  in  that  clump  of  pines,  like  bees  settling  after 
their  flight.  By  the  Lord,  a  squaw  might  put  a  bullet  into  the 
centre  of  such  a  knot  of  dark  skins!" 

At  that  instant  the  whoop  was  given,  and  a  dozen  Hurons  fell 
by  a  discharge  from  Chingachook  and  his  band.  The  shout  that 
followed  was  answered  by  a  single  war-cry  from  the  forest,  and  a 
yell  passed  through  the  air  that  sounded  as  if  a  thousand  throats 
were  united  in  a  common  effort.  The  Hurons  staggered,  desert 
ing  the  centre  of  their  line,  and  Uncas  issued  from  the  forest 
through  the  opening  they  left,  at  the  head  of  a  hundred  warriors. 


352  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

Waving  his  hands  right  and  left,  the  young  chief  pointed  out 
the  enemy  to  his  followers,  who  separated  in  pursuit.  The  war 
now  divided,  both  wings  of  the  broken  Hurons  seeking  protec 
tion  in  the  woods  again,  hotly  pressed  by  the  victorious  warriors 
of  the  Lenape.  A  minute  might  have  passed,  but  the  sounds 
were  already  receding  in  different  directions,  and  gradually  losing 
their  distinctness  beneath  the  echoing  arches  of  the  woods.  One 
little  knot  of  Hurons,  however,  had  disdained  to  seek  a  cover,  and 
were  retiring,  like  lions  at  bay,  slowly  and  sullenly  up  the  acclivity 
which  Chingachgook  and  his  band  had  just  deserted,  to  mingle 
more  closely  in  the  fray.  Magua  was  conspicuous  in  this  party, 
both  by  his  fierce  and  savage  mien,  and  by  the  air  of  haughty 
authority  he  yet  maintained. 

In  his  eagerness  to  expedite  the  pursuit,  Uncas  had  left  him 
self  nearly  alone;  but  the  moment  his  eyes  caught  the  figure  of 
Le  Subtil,  every  other  consideration  was  forgotten.  Raising  his 
cry  of  battle,  which  recalled  some  six  or  seven  warriors,  and  reck 
less  of  the  disparity  of  their  numbers,  he  rushed  upon  his  enemy. 
Le  Renard,  who  watched  the  movement,  paused  to  receive  him 
with  secret  joy.  But  at  the  moment  when  he  thought  the  rash 
ness  of  his  impetuous  young  assailant  had  left  him  at  his  mercy, 
another  shout  was  given,  and  La  Longue  Carabine  was  seen  rush 
ing  to  the  rescue,  attended  by  all  his  white  associates.  The 
Huron  instantly  turned,  and  commenced  a  rapid  retreat  up  the 
ascent. 

There  was  no  time  for  greetings  or  congratulations;  for 
Uncas,  though  unconscious  of  the  presence,  of  his  friends,  con 
tinued  the  pursuit  with  the  velocity  of  the  wind.  In  vain  Hawk- 
eye  called  to  him  to  respect  the  covers ;  the  young  Mohican  braved 
the  dangerous  fire  of  his  enemies,  and  soon  compelled  them  to  a 
flight  as  swift  as  his  own  headlong  speed.  It  was  fortunate  that 
the  race  was  of  short  continuance,  and  that  the  white  men  were 
much  favored  by  their  position,  or  the  Delaware  would  soon  have 
outstripped  all  his  companions,  and  fallen  a  victim  to  his  own 
temerity.  But  ere  such  a  calamity  could  happen,  the  pursuers 
and  pursued  entered  the  Wyandot  village,  within  striking  dis 
tance  of  each  other. 

Excited  by  the  presence  of  their  dwellings,  and  tired  of  the 
chase,  the  Hurons  now  made  a  stand,  and  fought  around  their 
council-lodge  with  the  fury  of  despair.  The  onset  and  the  issue 
were  like  the  passage  and  destruction  of  a  whirlwind.  The  toma- 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  353 

hawk  of  Uncas,  the  blows  of  Hawkeye,  and  even  the  still  nervous 
arm  of  Munro,  were  all  busy  for  that  passing  moment,  and  the 
ground  was  quickly  strewed  with  their  enemies.  Still  Magua, 
though  daring  and  much  exposed,  escaped  from  every  effort 
against  his  life,  with  that  sort  of  fabled  protection  that  was  made 
to  overlook  the  fortunes  of  favored  heroes  in  the  legends  of  ancient 
poetry.  Raising  a  yell  that  spoke  volumes  of  anger  and  dis 
appointment,  the  subtle  chief,  when  he  saw  his  comrades  fallen, 
darted  away  from  the  place,  attended  by  his  two  only  surviving 
friends,  leaving  the  Delawares  engaged  in  stripping  the  dead  of 
the  bloody  trophies  of  their  victory. 

But  Uncas,  who  had  vainly  sought  him  in  the  melee  bounded 
forward  in  pursuit;  Hawkeye,  Heyward,  and  David  still  press 
ing  on  his  footsteps.  The  utmost  that  the  scout  could  effect,  was 
to  keep  the  muzzle  of  his  rifle  a  little  in  advance  of  his  friend,  to 
whom,  however,  it  answered  every  purpose  of  a  charmed  shield. 
Once  Magua  appeared  disposed  to  make  another  and  a  final  effort 
to  revenge  his  losses;  but,  abandoning  his  intention  as  soon  as 
demonstrated,  he  leaped  into  a  thicket  of  bushes,  through  which 
he  was  followed  by  his  enemies,  and  suddenly  entered  the  mouth 
of  the  cave  already  known  to  the  reader.  Hawkeye,  who  had 
only  forborne  to  fire  in  tenderness  to  Uncas,  raised  a  shout  of 
success,  and  proclaimed  aloud,  that  now  they  were  certain  of  their 
game.  The  pursuers  dashed  into  the  long  and  narrow  entrance, 
in  time  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  retreating  forms  of  the  Hurons. 
Their  passage  through  the  natural  galleries  and  subterraneous 
apartments  of  the  cavern  was  preceded  by  the  shrieks  and  cries 
of  hundreds  of  women  and  children.  The  place,  seen  by  its  dim 
and  uncertain  light,  appeared  like  the  shades  of  the  infernal 
regions,  across  which  unhappy  ghosts  and  savage  demons  were 
flitting  in  multitudes. 

Still  Uncas  kept  his  eye  on  Magua,  as  if  life  to  him  possessed 
but  a  single  object.  Heyward  and  the  scout  still  pressed  on  his 
rear,  actuated,  though  possiblv  in  a  less  degree,  by  a  common  feel 
ing.  But  their  way  was  becoming  intricate,  in  those  dark  and 
gloomy  passages,  and  the  glimpses  of  the  retiring  warriors  less 
distinct  and  frequent;  and  for  a  moment  the  trace  was  believed  to 
be  lost,  when  a  white  robe  was  seen  fluttering  in  the  farther  ex 
tremity  of  a  passage  that  seemed  to  lead  up  the  mountain. 

"Tis  Cora!"  exclaimed  Heyward,  in  a  voice  in  which  horror 
and  delight  were  wildly  mingled. 


354  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"Cora!  Cora!"  echoed  Uncas,  bending  forward  like  a  deer. 

'Tis  the  maiden!"  shouted  the  scout.     "Courage,  lady;  we 
come! — we  come!" 

The  chase  was  renewed  with  a  diligence  rendered  tenfold 
encouraging  by  this  glimpse  of  the  captive.  '  But  the  way  was 
rugged,  broken,  and  in  spots  nearly  impassable.  Uncas  aban 
doned  his  rifle,  and  leaped  forward  with  headlong  precipitation. 
Heyward  rashly  imitated  his  example,  though  both  were,  a 
moment  afterwards,  admonished  of  its  madness,  by  hearing  the 
bellowing  of  a  piece,  that  the  Hurons  found  time  to  discharge 
down  the  passage  in  the  rocks,  the  bullet  from  which  even  gave 
the  young  Mohican  a  slight  wound. 

"We  must  close!"  said  the  scout,  passing  his  friends  by  a 
desperate  leap;  "the  knaves  will  pick  us  all  off  at  this  distance; 
and  see,  they  hold  the  maiden  so  as  to  shield  themselves !" 

Though  his  words  were  unheeded,  or  rather  unheard,  his  ex 
ample  was  followed  by  his  companions,  who,  by  incredible  exer 
tions,  got  near  enough  to  the  fugitives  to  perceive  that  Cora  was 
borne  along  between  the  two  warriors,  while  Magua  prescribed 
the  direction  and  manner  of  their  flight.  At  this  moment  the 
forms  of  all  four  were  strongly  drawn  against  an  opening  in  the 
sky,  and  they  disappeared.  Nearly  frantic  with  disappointment, 
Uncas  and  Heyward  increased  efforts  that  already  seemed  super 
human,  and  they  issued  from  the  cavern  on  the  side  of  the  moun 
tain,  in  time  to  note  the  route  of  the  pursued.  The  course  lay 
up  the  ascent,  and  still  continued  hazardous  and  laborious. 

Encumbered  by  his  rifle,  and,  perhaps,  not  sustained  by  so 
deep  an  interest  in  the  captive  as  his  companions,  the  scout  suf 
fered  the  latter  to  precede  him  a  little,  Uncas,  in  his  turn,  taking 
the  lead  of  Heyward.  In  this  manner,  rocks,  precipices,  and 
difficulties  were  surmounted  in  an  incredibly  short  space,  that  at 
another  time,  and  under  other  circumstances,  would  have  been 
deemed  almost  insuperable.  But  the  impetuous  young  men  were 
rewarded,  by  finding  that,  encumbered  with  Cora,  the  Hurons 
were  losing  ground  in  the  race. 

"Stay,  dog  of  the  Wyandots!"  exclaimed  Uncas,  shaking  his 
bright  tomahawk  at  Magua;  "a  Delaware  girl  calls  stay!" 

"I  will  go  no  farther,"  cried  Cora,  stepping  unexpectedly  on 
a  ledge  of  rocks,  that  overhung  a  deep  precipice,  at  no  great  dis 
tance  from  the  summit  of  the  mountain.  "Kill  me  if  thou  wilt, 
detestable  Huron;  I  will  go  no  farther." 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  355 

The  supporters  of  the  maiden  raised  their  ready  tomahawks 
with  the  impious  joy  that  fiends  are  thought  to  take  in  mischief, 
but  Magua  stayed  the  uplifted  arms.  The  Huron  chief,  after 
casting  the  weapons  he  had  wrested  from  his  companions  over  the 
rock,  drew  his  knife,  and  turned  to  his  captive,  with  a  look  in 
which  conflicting  passions  fiercely  contended. 

"Woman,"  he  said,  "choose;  the  wigwam  or  the  knife  of  Le 
Subtil!" 

Cora  regarded  him  not,  but  dropping  on  her  knees,  she  raised 
her  eyes  and  stretched  her  arms  towards  heaven,  saying,  in  a  meek 
and  yet  confiding  voice, — 

"I  am  thine!  do  with  me  as  thou  seest  bestl" 

"Woman,"  repeated  Magua,  hoarsely,  and  endeavoring  in 
vain  to  catch  a  glance  from  her  serene  and  beaming  eye, 
"choose!" 

But  Cora  neither  heard  nor  heeded  his  demand.  The  form 
of  the  Huron  trembled  in  every  fibre,  and  he  raised  his  arm  on 
high,  but  dropped  it  again  with  a  bewildered  air,  like  one  who 
doubted.  Once  more  he  struggled  with  himself  and  lifted  the 
keen  weapon  again;  but  just  then  a  piercing  cry  was  heard  above 
them,  and  Uncas  appeared,  leaping  frantically,  from  a  fearful 
height,  upon  the  ledge.  Magua  recoiled  a  step ;  and  one  of  his 
assistants,  profiting  by  the  chance,  sheathed  his  own  knife  in  the 
bosom  of  Cora. 

The  Huron  sprang  like  a  tiger  on  his  offending  and  already 
retreating  countryman,  but  the  falling  form  of  Uncas  separated 
the  unnatural  combatants.  Diverted  from  his  object  by  this  in 
terruption,  and  maddened  by  the  murder  he  had  just  witnessed, 
Magua  buried  his  weapon  in  the  back-  of  the  prostrate  Delaware, 
uttering  an  unearthly  shout  as  he  committed  the  dastardly  deed. 
Eut  Uncas  arose  from  the  blow,  as  the  wounded  panther  turns 
upon  his  foe,  and  struck  the  mur_derer  of  Cora  to  his  feet,  by  an 
effort  in  which  the  last  of  his  failing  strength'  was  expended. 
Then,  with  a  stern  and  steady  look,  he  turned  to  Le  Subtil,  and 
indicated  by  the  expression  of  his  eye,  all  that  he  would  do,  had 
not  the  power  deserted  him.  The  latter  seized  the  nerveless  arm 
of  the  unresisting  Delaware,  and  passed  his  knife  into  his  bosom 
three  several  times,  before  his  victim,  still  keeping  his  gaze  riveted 
on  his  enemy  with  a  look  of  inextinguishable  scorn,  felldead  at  his 
feet. 

"Mercy!  mercy!  Huron,"   cried  Hey  ward,   from  above,  in 


356  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

tones  nearly  choked  by  horror;  "give  mercy,  and  thou  shalt  re 
ceive  it!" 

Whirling  the  bloody  knife  up  at  the  imploring  youth,  the  vic 
torious  Magua  uttered  a  cry  so  fierce^  so  wild,  and  yet  so  joyous, 
that  it  conveyed  the  sounds  of  savage  triumph  to  the  ears  of  those 
who  fought  in  the  valley,  a  thousand  feet  below.  He  was 
answered  by  a  burst  from  the  lips  of  the  scout,  whose  tall  person 
was  just  then  seen  moving  swiftly  towards  him,  along  those  dan 
gerous  crags,  with  steps  as  bold  and  reckless  as  if  he  possessed 
the  power  to  move  in  air.  But  when  the  hunter  reached  the  scene 
of  the  ruthless  massacre,  the  ledge  was  tenanted  only  by  the  dead. 

His  keen  eye  took  a  single  look  at  the  victims,  and  then  shot 
its  glances  over  the  difficulties  of  the  ascent  in  his  front.  A  form 
stood  at  the  brow  of  the  mountain,  on  the  very  edge  of  the  giddy 
height,  with  uplifted  arms,  in  an  awful  attitude  of  menace. 
Without  stopping  to  consider  his  person,  the  .rifle  of  Hawkeye 
was  raised ;  but  a  rock,  which  fell  on  the  head  of  one  of  the  fugi 
tives  below  exposed  the  indignant  and  glowing  countenance  of 
the  honest  Gamut.  Then  Magua  issued  from  a  crevice,  and 
stepping  with  calm  indifference  over  the  body  of  the  last  of  his 
associates,  he  leaped  a  wide  fissure,  and  ascended  the  rocks  at  a 
point  where  the  arm  of  David  could  not  reach  him.  A  single 
bound  would  carry  him  to  the  brow  of  the  precipice,  and  assure 
his  safety.  Before  taking  the  leap,  however,  the  Huron  paused, 
and  shaking  his  hand  at  the  scout,  he  shouted, — 

"The  pale-faces  are  dogs!  the  Delawares  women!  Magua 
leaves  them  on  the  rocks,  for  the  crows  1" 

Laughing  hoarsely,  he  made  a  desperate  leap,  and  fell  short 
of  his  mark ;  though  his  hand  grasped  a  shrub  on  the  verge  of  the 
height.  The  form  of  Hawkeye  had  crouched  like  a  beast  about 
to  take  its  spring,  and  his  frame  trembled  so  violently  with  eager 
ness,  that  the  muzzle  of  the  half-raised  rifle  played  like  a  leaf 
fluttering  in  the  wind.  Without  exhausting  himself  with  fruit 
less  efforts,  the  cunning  Magua  suffered  his  body  to  drop  to  the 
length  of  his  arms,  and  found  a  fragment  for  his  feet  to  rest  on. 
Then  summoning  all  his  powers,  he  renewed  the  attempt,  and  so 
far  succeeded,  as  to  draw  his  knees  on  the  edge  of  the  mountain. 
It  was  now,  when  the  body  of  his  enemy  was  most  collected 
together,  that  the  agitated  weapon  of  the  scout  was  drawn  to  his 
shoulder.  The  surrounding  rocks  themselves  were  not  steadier 
than  the  piece  became,  for  the  single  instant  that  it  poured  out 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  357 

its  contents.  The  arms  of  the  Huron  relaxed,  and  his  body  fell 
back  a  little,  while  his  knees  still  kept  their  position.  Turning 
a  relentless  look  on  his  enemy,  he  shook  a  hand  in  grim  defiance. 
But  his  hold  loosened,  and  his  dark  person  was  seen  cutting  the 
air  with  its  head  downwards,  for  a  fleeting  instant,  until  it  glided 
past  the  fringe  of  shrubbery  which  clung  to  the  mountain,  in  its 
rapid  flight  to  destruction. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII 

"They  fought,  like  brave  men,  long  and  well, 

They  piled  that  ground  with   Moslem  slain, 
They  conquered — but  Bozzaris  fell, 

Bleeding  at  every  vein. 
His  few  surviving  comrades  saw 
His  smile  when   rang  their  proud  hurrah, 

And  the  red  field  was  won; 
Then  saw  in  deatli  his  eyelids  close 
Calmly,  as  to  a  night's  repose, 

Like  flowers  at  set  of  sun." 

HALUCK. 

THE  sun  found  the  Lenape,  on  the  succeeding  day,  a  nation  of 
mourners.  The  sounds  of  the  battle  were  over,  and  they  had  fed 
fat  their  ancient  grudge,  and  had  avenged  their  recent  quarrel 
with  the  Mengwe,  by  the  destruction  of  a  whole  community. 
The  black  and  murky  atmosphere  that  floated  around  the  spot 
where  the  Hurons  had  encamped,  sufficiently  announced,  of  itself, 
the  fate  of  that  wandering  tribe ;  while  hundreds  of  ravens,  that 
struggled  above  the  bleak  summits  of  the  mountains,  or  swept, 
in  noisy  flocks,  across  the  wide  ranges  of  the  woods,  furnished  a 
frightful  direction  to  the  scene  of  the  combat.  In  short,  any 
eye,  at  all  practised  in  the  signs  of  a  frontier  warfare,  might  easily 
have  traced  all  those  unerring  evidences  of  the  ruthless  results 
which  attend  an  Indian  vengeance. 

Still,  the  sun  rose  on  the  Lenape  a  nation  of  mourners.  ~No 
shouts  of  success,  no  songs  of  triumph,  were  heard,  in  rejoicings 
for  their  victory.  The  latest  straggler  had  returned  from  his 
fell  employment,  only  to  strip  himself  of  the  terrific  emblems  of 
his  bloody  calling,  and  to  join  in  the  lamentations  of  his  country 
men,  as  a  stricken  people.  Pride  and  exultation  were  supplanted 
by  humility,  and  the  fiercest  of  human  passions  was  already  suc 
ceeded  by  the  most  profound  and  unequivocal  demonstrations 
of  grief. 

The  lodges  were  deserted;  but  a  broad  belt  of  earnest  faces 
encircled  a  spot  in  their  vicinity,  whither  everything  possessing 
life  had  repaired,  and  where  all  were  now  collected,  in  deep  and 

353 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  359 

awful  silence.  Though  beings  of  every  rank  and  age,  of  both 
sexes,  and  of  all  pursuits,  had  united  to  form  this  breathing  wall 
of  bodies,  they  were  influenced  by  a  single  emotion.  Each  eye 
was  riveted  on  the  centre  of  that  ring,  which  contained  the  objects 
of  so  much,  and  of  so  common,  an  interest. 

Six  Delaware  girls,  with  their  long,  dark,  flowing  tresses  fall 
ing  loosely  across  their  bosoms,  stood  apart,  and  only  gave  proofs 
of  their  existence  as  they  occasionally  strewed  sweet-scented  herbs 
and  forest  flowers  on  a  litter  of  fragrant  plants,  that,  under  a 
pall  of  Indian  robes,  supported  all  that  now  remained  of  the 
ardent,  high-souled,  and  generous  Cora.  Her  form  was  con 
cealed  in  many  wrappers  of  the  same  simple  manufacture,  and  her 
face  was  shut  forever  from  the  gaze  of  men.  At  her  feet  was 
seated  the  desolate  Munro.  His  aged  head  was  bowed  nearly  to 
the  earth,  in  compelled  submission  to  the  stroke  of  Providence; 
but  a  hidden  anguish  struggled  about  his  furrowed  brow,  that 
was  only  partially  concealed  by  the  careless  locks  of  gray  that 
had  fallen,  neglected,  on  his  temples.  Gamut  stood  at  his  side, 
his  meek  head  bared  to  the  rays  of  the  sun,  while  his  eyes,  wander 
ing  and  concerned,  seemed  to  be  equally  divided  between  that 
little  volume,  which  contained  so  many  quaint  but  holy  maxims, 
and  the  being  in  whose  behalf  his  soul  yearned  to  administer  con 
solation.  Heyward  was  also  nigh,  supporting  himself  against  a- 
tree,  and  endeavoring  to  keep  down  those  sudden  risings  of  sor 
row  that  it  required  his  utmost  manhood  to  subdue. 

But  sad  and  melancholy  as  this  group  may  easily  be  imagined, 
it  was  far  less  touching  than  another,  that  occupied  the  opposite 
space  of  the  same  area.  Seated,  as  in  life,  with  his  form  and 
limbs  arranged  in  grave  and  decent  composure,  Uncas  appeared, 
arrayed  in  the  most  gorgeous  ornaments  that  the  wealth  of  the 
tribe  could  furnish.  Rich  plumes  nodded  above  his  head;  wam 
pum,  gorgets,  bracelets,  and  medals,  adorned  his  person  in  pro 
fusion;  though  his  dull  eye  and  vacant  lineaments  too  strongly 
contradicted  the  idle  tale  of  pride  they  would  convey. 

Directly  in  front  of  the  corpse  Chingachgook  was  placed, 
without  arms,  paint,  or  adornment  of  any  sort,  except  the  bright 
blue  blazonry  of  his  race,  that  was  indelibly  impressed  on  his 
naked  bosom.  During  the  long  period  that  the  tribe  had  been 
thus  collected,  the  Mohican  warrior  had  kept  a  steady,  anxious 
look  on  the  cold  and  senseless  countenance  of  his  son.  So  riveted 
and  intense  had  been  that  gaze,  and  so  changeless  his  attitude, 


360  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

that  a  stranger  might  not  have  told  the  living  from  the  dead,  but 
for  the  occasional  gleamings  of  a  troubled  spirit  that  shot  athwart 
the  dark  visage  of  one,  and  the  death-like  calm  that  had  forever 
settled  on  the  lineaments  of  the  other. 

The  scout  was  hard  by,  leaning  in  a  pensive  posture  on  his 
own  fatal  and  avenging  weapon;  while  Tamenund,  supported  by 
the  elders  of  his  nation,  occupied  a  high  place  at  hand,  whence  he 
might  look  down  on  the  mute  and  sorrowful  assemblage  of  his 
people. 

Just  within  the  inner  edge  of  the  circle  stood  a  soldier,  in  the 
military  attire  of  a  strange  nation;  and  without  it  was  his 
war-horse,  in  the  centre  of  a  collection  of  mounted  domestics, 
seemingly  in  readiness  to  undertake  some  distant  journey.  The 
vestments  of  the  stranger  announced  him  to  be  one  who  held  a  re 
sponsible  situation  near  the  person  of  the  captain  of  the  Canadas ; 
and  who,  as  it  would  now  seem,  finding  his  errand  of  peace  frus 
trated  by  the  fierce  impetuosity  of  his  allies,  was  content  to  be 
come  a  silent  and  sad  spectator  of  the.  fruits  of  a  contest  that  he 
had  arrived  too  late  to  anticipate. 

The  day  was  drawing  to  the  close  of  its  first  quarter,  and  yet 
had  the  multitude  maintained  its  breathing  stillness  since  its  dawn. 
No  sound  louder  than  a  stifled  sob  had  been  heard  among  them, 
nor  had  even  a  limb  been  moved  throughout  that  long  and  painful 
period,  except  to  perform  the  simple  and  touching  offerings  that 
were  made,  from  time  to  time,  in  commemoration  of  the  dead. 
The  patience  and  forbearance  of  Indian  fortitude  could  alone 
support  such  an  appearance  of  abstraction,  as  seemed  now  to  have 
turned  each  dark  and  motionless  figure  into  stone. 

At  length,  the  sage  of  the  Delawares  stretched  forth  an  arm, 
and  leaning  on  the  shoulders  of  his  attendants,  he  arose  with  an 
air  as  feeble  as  if  another  age  had  already  intervened  between 
the  man  who  had  met  his  nation  the  preceding  day,  and  him  who 
now  tottered  on  his  elevated  stand. 

"Men  of  the  Lenape!"  he  said,  in  hollow  tones  that  sounded 
like  a  voice  charged  with  some  prophetic  mission;  "the  face  of  the 
Manitou  is  behind  a  cloud!  His  eye  is  turned  from  you;  His  ears 
are  shut ;  His  tongue  gives  no  answer.  You  see  Him  not;  yet  His 
judgments  are  before  you.  Let  your  hearts  be  open  and  your 
spirits  tell  no  lie.  Men  of  the  Lenape!  the  face  of  the  Manitou 
is  behind  a  cloud." 

As  this  simple  and  yet  terrible  annunciation  stole  on  the  ears 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  361 

of  the  multitude,  a  stillness  as  deep  and  awful  succeeded  as  if  the 
venerated  spirit  they  worshipped  had  uttered  the  words  without 
the  aid  of  human  organs;  and  even  the  inanimate  Uncas  appeared 
a  being  of  life,  compared  with  the  humbled  and  submissive  throng 
by  whom  he  was  surrounded.  As  the  immediate  effect,  however, 
gradually  passed  away,  a  low  murmur  of  voices  commenced  a 
sort  of  chant  in  honor  of  the  dead.  The  sounds  were  those  of 
females,  and  were  thrillingly  soft  and  wailing.  The  words  were 
connected  by  no  regular  continuation,  but  as  one  ceased  another 
took  up  the  eulogy,  or  lamentation,  whichever  it  might  be  called, 
and  gave  vent  to  her  emotions  in  such  language  as  was  suggested 
by  her  feelings  and  the  occasion.  At  intervals  the  speaker  was 
interrupted  by  general  and  loud  bursts  of  sorrow,  during  which 
the  girls  around  the  bier  of  Cora  plucked  the  plants  and  flowers 
blindly  from  her  body,  as  if  bewildered  with  grief.  But,  in  the 
milder  moments  of  their  plaint,  'these  emblems  of  purity  and 
sweetness  were  cast  back  to  their  places,  with  every  sign  of  ten 
derness  and  regret.  Though  rendered  less  connected  by  many 
and  general  interruptions  and  outbreakings,  a  translation  of  their 
language  would  have  contained  a  regular  descant,  which,  in  sub 
stance,  might  have  proved  to  possess  a  train  of  consecutive  ideas. 

A  girl,  selected  for  the  task  by  her  rank  and  qualifications, 
commenced  by  modest  allusions  to  the  qualities  of  the  deceased 
warrior,  embellishing  her  expressions  with  those  oriental  images 
that  the  Indians  have  probably  brought  with  them  from  the 
extremes  of  the  other  continent,  and  which  form  of  themselves  a 
link  to  connect  the  ancient  histories  of  the  two  worlds.  She  called 
him  the  "panther  of  his  tribe";  and  described  him  as  one  whose 
moccasin  left  no  trail  on  the  dews ;  whose  bound  was  like  the  leap 
of  the  young  fawn ;  whose  eye  was  brighter  than  a -star  in  the  dark 
night;  and  whose  voice,  in  battle,  was  loud  as  the  thunder  of  the 
Manitou.  She  reminded  him  of  the  mother  who  bore  him,  and 
dwelt  forcibly  on  the  happiness  she  must  feel  in  possessing  such 
a  son.  She  bade  him  tell  her,  when  they  met  in  the  world  of 
spirits,  that  the  Delaware  girls  had  shed  tears  above  the  grave 
of  her  child,  and  had  called  her  blessed. 

Then,  they  who  succeeded,  changing  their  tones  to  a  milder 
and  still  more  tender  strain,  alluded,  with  the  delicacy  and  sensi 
tiveness  of  woman,  to  the  stranger  maiden,  who  had  left  the  upper 
earth  at  a  time  so  near  his  own  departure,  as  to  render  the  will 
of  the  Great  Spirit  too  manifest  to  be  disregarded.  They  admon- 


362  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

ished  him  to  be  kind  to  her,  and  to  have  consideration  for  her 
ignorance  of  those  arts  which  were  so  necessary  to  the  comfort 
of  a  warrior  like  himself.  They  dwelt  upon  her  matchless  beauty, 
and  on  her  noble  resolution,  without  the  taint  of  envy,  and  as 
angels  may  be  thought  to  delight  in  a  superior  excellence ;  adding, 
that  these  endowments  should  prove  more  than  equivalent  for  any 
little  imperfections  in  her  education. 

After  which,  others  again,  in  due  succession,  spoke  to  the 
maiden  herself,  in  the  low,  soft  language  of  tenderness  and  love. 
They  exhorted  her  to  be  of  cheerful  mind,  and  to  fear  nothing 
for  future  welfare.  A  hunter  would  be  her  companion,  who  knew 
how  to  provide  for  her  smallest  wants;  and  a  warrior  was  at  her 
side  who  was  able  to  protect  her  against  every  danger.  They 
promised  that  her  path  should  be  pleasant,  and  her  burden  light. 
They  cautioned  her  against  unavailing  regrets  for  the  friends  of 
her  youth,  and  the  scenes  where  her  fathers  had  dwelt;  assuring 
her  that  the  "blessed  hunting-grounds  of  the  Lenape"  contained 
vales  as  pleasant,  streams  as  pure,  and  flowers  as  sweet,  as  the 
"heaven  of  the  pale-faces."  They  advised  her  to  be  attentive  to 
the  wants  of  her  companion,  and  never  to  forget  the  distinction 
which  the  Manitou  had  so  wisely  established  between  them. 
Then,  in  a  wild  burst  of  their  chant,  they  sang  with  united  voices 
the  temper  of  the  Mohican's  mind.  They  pronounced  him  noble, 
manly  and  generous;  all  that  became  a  warrior,  and  all  that  a 
maid  might  love.  Clothing  their  ideas  in  the  most  remote  and 
subtle  images,  they  betrayed,  that,  in  the  short  period  of  their 
intercourse,  they  had  discovered,  with  the  intuitive  perception  of 
their  sex,  the  truant  disposition  of  his  inclinations.  The  Dela 
ware  girls  had  found  no  favor  in  his  eyes!  He  was  of  a  race 
that  had  once  been  lords  on  the  shores  of  the  salt  lake,  and  his 
wishes  had  led  him  back  to  a  people  who  dwelt  about  the  graves 
of  his  fathers.  Why  should  not  such  a  predilection  be  encour 
aged  !  That  she  was  of  a  blood  purer  and  richer  than  the  rest  of 
her  nation,  any  eye  might  have  seen;  that  she  was  equal  to  the 
dangers  and  daring  of  a  life  in  the  woods,  her  conduct  had  proved ; 
and  now,  they  added,  the  "wise  one  of  the  earth"  had  transplanted 
her  to  a  place  where  she  would  find  congenial  spirits,  and  might 
be  forever  happy. 

Then,  with  another  transition  in  voice  and  subject,  allusions 
were  made  to  the  virgin  who  wept  in  the  adjacent  lodge.  They 
compared  her  to  flakes  of  snow ;  as  pure,  as  white,  as  brilliant,  and 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  363 

as  liable  to  melt  in  the  fierce  heats  of  summer,  or  congeal  in  the 
frosts  of  winter.  They  doubted  not  that  she  was  lovely  in  the 
eyes  of  the  young  chief,  whose  skin  and  whose  sorrow  seemed  so 
like  her  own ;  but,  though  far  from  expressing  such  a  preference, 
it  was  evident  they  deemed  her  less  excellent  than  the  maid  they 
mourned.  Still  they  denied  her  no  meed  her  rare  charms  might 
properly  claim.  Her  ringlets  were  compared  to  the  exuberant 
tendrils  of  the  vine,  her  eye  to  the  blue  vault  of  the  heavens,  and 
the  most  spotless  cloud,  with  its  glowing  flush  of  the  sun,  was 
admitted  to  be  less  attractive  than  her  bloom. 

During  these  and  similar  songs  nothing  was  audible  but  the 
murmurs  of  the  music;  relieved,  as  it  was,  or  rather  rendered 
terrible,  by  those  occasional  bursts  of  grief  which  might  be  called 
its  choruses.  The  Delawares  themselves  listened  like  charmed 
men;  and  it  was  very  apparent,  by  the  variations  of  their  speaking 
countenances,  how  deep  and  true  was  their  sympathy.  Even 
David  was  not  reluctant  to  lend  his  ears  to  tones  of  voices  so 
sweet ;  and  long  ere  the  chant  was  ended,  his  gaze  announced  that 
his  soul  was  enthralled. 

The  scout,  to  whom  alone,  of  all  the  white  men,  the  words 
were  intelligible,  suffered  himself  to  be  a  little  aroused  from  his 
meditative  posture,  and  bent  his  face  aside,  to  catch  their  mean 
ing,  as  the  girls  proceeded.  But  when  they  spoke  of  the  future 
prospects  of  Cora  and  Uncas,  he  shook  his  head,  like  one  who 
knew  the  error  of  their  simple  creed,  and  resuming  his  reclining 
attitude,  he  maintained  it  until  the  ceremony — if  that  might  be 
called  a  ceremony,  in  which  feeling  was  so  deeply  imbued — was 
finished.  Happily  for  the  self-command  of  both  Heyward  and 
Munro,  they  knew  not  the  meaning  of  the  wild  sounds  they  heard. 

Chingachgook  was  a  solitary  exception  to  the  interest  mani 
fested  by  the  native  part  of  the  audience.  His  look  never 
changed  throughout  the  whole  of  the  scene,  nor  did  a  muscle 
move  in  his  rigid  countenance,  even  at  the  wildest  or  the  most 
pathetic  parts  of  the  lamentation.  The  cold  and  senseless  re 
mains  of  his  son  was  all  to  him,  and  every  other  sense  but  that  of 
sight  seemed  frozen,  in  order  that  his  eyes  might  take  their  final 
gaze  at  those  lineaments  he  had  so  long  loved,  and  which  were 
now  about  to  be  closed  forever  from  his  view. 

In  this  stage  of  the  funeral  obsequies,  a  warrior  much  re 
nowned  for  deeds  in  arms,  and  more  especially  for  services  in  the 
recent  combat,  a  man  of  stern  and  grave  demeanor,  advanced 


364  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

slowly  from  the  crowd,  and  placed  himself  nigh  the  person  of 
the  dead. 

"Why  hast  thou  left  us,  pride  of  the  Wapanachki?"  he  said, 
addressing  himself  to  the  dull  ears  of  Uncas,  as  if  the  empty  clay 
retained  the  faculties  of  the  animated  man;  "thy  time  has  been 
like  that  of  the  sun  when  in  the  trees ;  thy  gldry  brighter  than  his 
light  at  noonday.  Thou  art  goner  youthful  warrior,  but  a  hun 
dred  Wyandots  are  clearing  the  briers  from  thy  path  to  the  world 
of  spirits.  Who  that  saw  thee  in  battle  would  believa  that  thou 
couldst  die?  Who  before  thee  has  ever  shown  Uttawa  the  way 
into  the  fight?  Thy  feet  were  like  the  wings  of  eagles;  thine 
arm  heavier  than  falling  branches  from  the  pine;  and  thy  voice 
like  the  Manitou  when  he  speaks  in  the  clouds.  The  tongue  of 
Uttawa  is  weak,"  he  added,  looking  about  him  with  a  melancholy 
gaze,  "and  his  heart  exceeding  heavy.  Pride  of  the  Wapanachki, 
why  hast  thou  left  us?" 

He  was  succeeded  by  others,  in  due  order,  until  most  of  the 
high  and  gifted  men  of  the  nation  had  sung  or  spoken  their 
tribute  of  praise  over  the  manes  of  the  deceased  chief.  When 
each  had  ended,  another  deep  and  breathing  silence  reigned  in 
all  the  place. 

Then  a  low,  deep  sound  was  heard,  like  the  suppressed  accom 
paniment  of  distant  music,  rising  just  high  enough  on  the  au 
to  be  audible,  and  yet  so  indistinctly,  as  to  leave  its  character,  and 
the  place  whence  it  proceeded,  alike  matters  of  conjecture.  It 
was,  however,  succeeded  by  another  and  another  strain,  each  in 
a  higher  key,  until  they  grew  on  the  ear,  first  in  long  drawn  and 
often  repeated  interjections,  and  finally  in  words.  The  lips  of 
Chingachgook  had  so  far  parted,  as  to  announce  that  it  was  the 
monody  of  the  father.  Though  not  an  eye  was  turned  towards 
him,  nor  the  smallest  sign  of  impatience  exhibited,  it  was  appar 
ent,  by  the  manner  in  which  the  multitude  elevated  their  heads 
to  listen,  that  they  drank  in  the  sounds  with  an  intenseness  of 
attention,  that  none  but  Tamenund  himself  had  ever  before  com 
manded.  But  they  listened  in  vain.  The  strains  rose  just  so 
loud  as  to  become  intelligible,  and  then  grew  fainter  and  more 
trembling,  until  they  finally  sank  on  the  ear,  as  if  borne  away  by 
a  passing  breath  of  wind.  The  lips  of  the  Sagamore  closed,  and 
he  remained  silent  in  his  seat,  looking,  with  his  riveted  eye  and 
motionless  form,  like  some  creature  that  had  been  turned  from 
the  Almighty  hand  with  the  form  but  without  the  spirit  of  a  man. 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  365 

The  Delawares,  who  knew  by  these  symptoms  that  the  mind  of 
their  friend  was  not  prepared  for  so  mighty  an  effort  of  fortitude, 
relaxed  in  their  attention ;  and,  with  an  innate  delicacy,  seemed  to 
bestow  all  their  thoughts  on  the  obsequies  of  the  stranger  maiden. 

A  signal  was  given,  by  one  of  the  elder  chief s,  to  the  women 
who  crowded  that  part  of  the  circle  near  which  the  body  of  Cora 
lay.  Obedient  to  the  sign,  the  girls  raised  the  bier  to  the  eleva 
tion  of  their  heads,  and  advanced  with  slow  and  regulated  steps, 
chanting,  as  they  proceeded,  another  wailing  song  in  praise  of  the 
deceased.  Gamut,  who  had  been  a  close  observer  of  rites  he 
deemed  so  heathenish,  now  bent  his  head  over  the  shoulder  of  the 
unconscious  father,  whispering, — 

"They  move  with  the  remains  of  thy  child;  shall  we  not  fof- 
low,  and  see  them  interred  with  Christian  burial?" 

Munro  started,  as  if  the  last  trumpet  had  sounded  in  his  ear, 
and  bestowing  one  anxious  and  hurried  glance  around  him,  he 
arose  and  followed  in  the  simple  train,  with  the  mien  of  a  soldier, 
but  bearing  the  full  burden  of  a  parent's  suffering.  His  friends 
pressed  around  him  with  a  sorrow  that  was  too  strong  to  be  termed 
sympathy — even  the  young  Frenchman  joining  in  the  procession, 
with  the  air  of  a  man  who  was  sensibly  touched  at  the  early  and 
melancholy  fate  of  one  so  lovely.  But  when  the  last  and  hum 
blest  female  of  the  tribe  had  joined  in  the  wild,  and  yet  ordered 
array,  the  men  of  the  Lenape  contracted  their  circle,  and  formed 
again  around  the  person  of  Uncas,  as  silent,  as  grave,  and  as 
motionless  as  before. 

The  place  which  had  been  chosen  for  the  grave  of  Cora  was  a 
little  knoll,  where  a  cluster  of  jroung  and  healthful  pines  had 
taken  root,  forming  of  themselves  a  melancholy  and  appropriate 
shade  over  the  spot.  On  reaching  it  the  girls  deposited  their 
burden,  and  continued  for  many  minutes  waiting,  with  character 
istic  patience,  and  native  timidity,  for  some  evidence  that  they 
whose  feelings  were  most  concerned  were  content  with  the  ar 
rangement.  At  length  the  scout,  who  alone  understood  their 
habits,  said,  in  their  own  language, — 

"My  daughters  have  done  well;  the  white  men  thank  them." 

Satisfied  with  this  testimony  in  their  favor,  the  girls  proceeded 
to  deposit  the  body  in  a  shell,  ingeniously,  and  not  inelegantly, 
fabricated  of  the  bark  of  the  birch;  after  which  they  lowered  it 
into  its  dark  and  final  abode.  The  ceremony  of  covering  the 
remains,  and  concealing  the  marks  of  the  fresh  earth,  by  leaves 


366  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

and  other  natural  and  customary  objects,  was  conducted  with  the 
same  simple  and  silent  forms.  But  when  the  labors  of  the  kind 
beings  who  had  performed  these  sad  and  friendly  offices  were  so 
far  completed,  they  hesitated,  in  a  way  to  show  that  they  knew 
not  how  much  further  they  might  proceed.  It  was  in  this  stage 
of  the  rites  that  the  scout  again  addressed  them : — 

"My  young  women  have  done  enough,"  he  said;  "the  spirit  of 
a  pale-face  has  no  need  of  food  or  raiment,  their  gifts  being 
according  to  the  heaven  of  their  color.  I  see,"  he  added,  glanc 
ing  an  eye  at  David,  who  was  preparing  his  book  in  a  manner 
that  indicated  an  intention  to  lead  the  way  in  sacred  song,  "that 
one  who  better  knows  the  Christian  fashions  is  about  to  speak." 

The  females  stood  modestly  aside,  and,  from  having  been 
the  principal  actors  in  the  scene,  they  now  became  the  meek  and 
attentive  observers  of  that  which  followed.  During  the  time 
David  was  occupied  in  pouring  out  the  pious  feelings  of  his  spirit 
in  this  manner,  not  a  sign  of  surprise,  nor  a  look  of  impatience, 
escaped  them.  They  listened  like  those  who  knew  the  meaning 
of  the  strange  words,  and  appeared  as  if  they  felt  the  mingled 
emotions  of  sorrow,  hope,  and  resignation,  they  were  intended 
to  convey. 

Excited  by  the  scene  he  had  just  witnessed,  and  perhaps  in 
fluenced  by  his  own  secret  emotions,  the  master  of  song  exceeded 
his  usual  efforts.  His  full,  rich  voice  was  not  found  to  suffer  by 
a  comparison  with  the  soft  tones  of  the  girls;  and  his  more  modu 
lated  strains  possessed,  at  least  for  the  ears  of  those  to  whom  they 
were  peculiarly  addressed,  the  additional  power  of  intelligence. 
He  ended  the  anthem,  as  he  had  commenced  it,  in  the  midst  of  a 
grave  and  solemn  stillness. 

When,  however,  the  closing  cadence  had  fallen  on  the  ears  of 
his  auditors,  the  secret,  timorous  glances  of  the  eyes,  and  the 
general,  and  yet  subdued  movement  of  the  assemblage,  betrayed 
that  something  was  expected  from  the  father  of  the  deceased. 
Munro  seemed  sensible  that  the  time  was  come  for  him  to  exert 
what  is,  perhaps,  the  greatest  effort  of  which  human  nature  is 
capable.  He  bared  his  gray  locks,  and  looked  around  the  timid 
and  quiet  throng  by  which  he  was  encircled  with  a  firm  and  col 
lected  countenance.  Then  motioning  with  his  hand  for  the  scout 
to  listen,  he  said, — 

"Say  to  these  kind  and  gentle  females,  that  a  heartbroken  and 
failing  man  returns  them  his  thanks.  Tell  them,  that  the  Being 


THE   LAST   OF    THE   MOHICANS  367 

we  all  worship,  under  different  names,  will  be  mindful  of  their 
charity;  and  that  the  time  shall  not  be  distant  when  we  may  as 
semble  around  his  throne  without  distinction  of  sex,  or  rank,  or 
color." 

The  scout  listened  to  the  tremulous  voice  in  which  the  veteran 
delivered  these  words,  and  shook  his  head  slowly  when  they  were 
ended,  as  one  who  doubted  their  efficacy. 

"To  tell  them  this,"  he  said,  "would  be  to  tell  them  that  the 
snows  come  not  in  the  winter,  or  that  the  sun  shines  fiercest  when 
the  trees  are  stripped  of  their  leaves." 

Then  turning  to  the  women,  he  made  such  a  communication 
of  the  other's  gratitude  as  he  deemed  most  suited  to  the  capacities 
of  his  listeners.  The  head  of  Munro  had  already  sunk  upon  his 
chest,  and  he  was  again  fast  relapsing  into  melancholy,  when  the 
young,  Frenchman  before  named  ventured  to  touch  him  lightly  on 
the  elbow.  As  soon  as  he  had  gained  the  attention  of  the  mourn 
ing  old  man,  he  pointed  towards  a  group  of  young  Indians,  who 
approached  with  a  light  but  closely  covered  litter,  and  then 
pointed  upward  towards  the  sun. 

"I  understand  you,  sir,"  returned  Munro,  with  a  voice  of 
forced  firmness;  "I  understand  you.  It  is  the  will  of  Heaven, 
and  I  submit.  Cora,  my  child!  if  the  prayers  of  a  heartbroken 
father  could  avail  thee  now,  how  blessed  shouldst  thou  be !  Come, 
gentlemen,"  he  added,  looking  about  him  with  an  air  of  lofty 
composure,  though  the  anguish  that  quivered  in  his  faded  counte 
nance  was  far  too  powerful  to  be  concealed,  "our  duty  here  is 
ended;  let  us  depart." 

Heyward  gladly  obeyed  a  summons  that  took  them  from  a 
spot  where,  each  instant,  he  felt  his  self-control  was  about  to 
desert  him.  While  his  companions  were  mounting,  however,  he 
found  time  to  press  the  hand  of  the  scout,  and  to  repeat  the  terms 
of  an  engagement  they  had  made,  to  -meet  again  within  the  posts 
of  the  British  army.  Then  gladly  throwing  himself  into  the  sad 
dle,  he  spurred  his  charger  to  the  side  of  the  litter,  whence  low  and 
stifled  sobs  alone  announced  the  presence  of  Alice.  In  this  man 
ner,  the  head  of  Munro  again  dropping  on  his  bosom,  with  Hey 
ward  and  David  following  in  sorrowing  silence,  and  attended  by 
the  aide  of  Montcalm  with  his  guard,  all  the  white  men,  with  the 
exception  of  Hawkeye,  passed  from  before  the  eyes  of  the  Dela- 
wares,  and  were  soon  buried  in  the  vast  forests  of  that  region. 

But  the  tie  which,  through  their  common  calamity,  had  united 


368  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

the  feelings  of  these  simple  dwellers  in  the  woods  with  the 
strangers  who  had  thus  transiently  visited  them,  was  not  so  easily 
broken.  Years  passed  away  before  the  traditionary  tale  of  the 
white  maiden,  and  of  the  young  warrior  of  the  Mohicans,  ceased 
to  beguile  the  long  nights  and  tedious  marches,  or  to  animate 
their  youthful  and  brave  with  a  desire  for  vengeance.  Neither 
were  the  secondary  actors  in  these  momentous  incidents  forgotten. 
Through  the  medium  of  the  scout,  who  served  for  years  after 
wards  as  a  link  between  them  and  civilized  life,  they  learned,  in 
answer  to  their  inquiries,  that  the  "Gray  Head"  was  speedily 
gathered  to  his  fathers — borne  down,  as  was  erroneously  believed, 
by  his  military  misfortunes;  and  that  the  "Open  Hand"  had  con 
veyed  his  surviving  daughter  far  into  the  settlements  of  the  "pale 
faces,"  where  her  tears  had  at  last  ceased  to  flow,  and  had  been 
succeeded  by  the  bright  smiles  which  were  better  suited  to  her 
j  oy ous  nature. 

But  these  were  events  of  a  time  later  than  that  which  concerns 
our  tale.  -  Deserted  by  all  of  his  color,  Hawkeye  returned  to  the 
spot  where  his  own  sympathies  led  him,  with  a  force  that  no  ideal 
bond  of  union  could  bestow.  He  was  just  in  time  to  catch  a  part 
ing  look  of  the  features  of  Uncas,  whom  the  Delawares  were 
already  inclosing  in  his  last  vestments  of  skins.  They  paused  to 
permit  the  longing  and  lingering  gaze  of  the  sturdy  woodsman, 
and  when  it  was  ended,  the  body  was  enveloped,  never  to  be  un 
closed  again.  Then  came  a  procession  like  the  other,  and  the 
whole  nation  was  collected  about  the  temporary  grave  of  the 
chief — temporary,  because  it  was  proper  that,  at  some  future  day, 
his  bones  should  rest  among  those  of  his  own  people. 

The  movement,  like  the  feeling,  had  been  simultaneous  and 
general.  The  same  grave  expression  of  grief,  the  same  rigid 
silence,  and  the  same  deference  to  the  principal  mourner,  were 
observed  around  the  place  of  interment  as  have  been  already 
described.  The  bod}'  was  deposited  in  an  attitude  of  repose,  fac 
ing  the  rising  sun,  with  the  implements  of  war  and  of  the  chase  at 
hand,  in  readiness  for  the  final  journey.  An  opening  was  left 
in  the  shell,  by  which  it  was  protected  from  the  soil,  for  the  spirit 
to  communicate  with  its  earthly  tenement,  when  necessary;  and 
the  whole  was  concealed  from  the  instinct,  and  protected  from  the 
ravages  of  the  beasts  of  prey,  with  an  ingenuity  peculiar  to  the 
natives.  The  manual  rites  then  ceased,  and  all  present  reverted 
to  the  more  spiritual  part  of  the  ceremonies. 


Copyright  by  Charles  Scribner's  Sons 


THE  BURIAL  OF  UNCAS 

"  The  boa  has  left  us  for  a  time ;  out,  Sagamore,  you 
are  nol  alone  " 


THE   Bl  RIAL   OF   VNCAS 

The  ioy  has  itjt  us  for  a  time;  but,  Sagamore,  you 
are  not  alone 


THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS  369 

Chingochgook  became  once  more  the  object  of  the  common 
attention.  He  had  not  yet  spoken,  and  something  consolatory 
and  instructive  was  expected  from  so  renowned  a  chief  on  an 
occasion  of  such  interest.  Conscious  of  the  wishes  of  the  people, 
the  stern  and  self-restrained  warrior  raised  his  face,  which  had 
latterly  been  buried  in  his  robe,  and  looked  about  him  with  a 
steady  eye.  His  firmly  compressed  and  expressive  lips  then 
severed,  and  for  the  first  time  during  the  long  ceremonies  his  voice 
was  distinctly  audible. 

"Why  do  my  "brothers  mourn!"  he  said,  regarding  the  dark 
race  of  dejected  warriors  by  whom  he  was  environed;  "why  do 
my  daughters  weep!  that  a  young  man  has  gone  to  the  happy 
hunting-grounds ;  that  a  chief  has  filled  his  time  with  honor !  He 
was  good ;  he  was  dutiful ;  he  was  brave.  Who  can  deny  it?  The 
Manitou  had  need  of  such  a  warrior,  and  He  has  called  him  away. 
As  for  me,  the  son  and  the  father  of  Uncas,  I  am  a  blazed  pine, 
in  a  clearing  of  the  pale-faces.  My  race  has  gone  from  the  shores 
of  the  salt  lake,  and  the  hills  of  the  Delawares.  But  who  can 
say  that  the  Serpent  of  his  tribe  has  forgotten  his  wisdom?  I 
am  alone— 

"No,  no,"  cried  Hawkeye,  who  had  been  gazing  with  a  yearn 
ing  look  at  the  rigid  features  of  his  friend,  with  something  like 
his  own  self-command,  but  whose  philosophy  could  endure  no 
longer;  "no,  Sagamore,  not  alone.  The  gifts  of  our  colors  may 
be  different,  but  God  has  so  placed  us  as  to  journey  in  the  same 
path.  I  have  no  kin,  .and  I  may  also  say,  like  you,  no  people. 
He  was  your  son,  and  a  redskin  by  nature;  and  it  may  be  that 
your  blood  was  nearer — but  if  ever  I  forget  the  lad  who  has  so 
often  fou't  at  my  side  in  war,  and  slept  at  my  side  in  peace,  may 
He  who  made  us  all,  whatever  may  be  our  color  or  our  gifts, 
forget  me!  The  boy  has  left  us  for  a  time;  but,  Sagamore,  you 
are  not  alone." 

Chingachgook  grasped  the  hand  that,  in  the  warmth  of  feel 
ing,  the  scout  had  stretched  across  the  fresh  earth,  and  in  that 
attitude  of  friendship  these  two  sturdy  'and  intrepid  woodsmen 
bowed  their  heads  together,  while  scalding  tears  fell  to  their  feet, 
watering  the  grave  of  Uncas  like  drops  of  falling  rain. 

In  the  midst  of  the  awful  stillness  with  which  such  a  burst  of 
feeling,  coming,  as  it  did,  from  the  two  most  renowned  warriors 
of  that  region,  was  received,  Tamenund  lifted  his  voice  to'  dis 
perse  the  multitude. 


370  THE    LAST    OF    THE    MOHICANS 

"It  is  enough,"  he  said.  "Go,  children  of  the  Lenape,  the 
anger  of  the  Manitou  is  not  done.  Why  should  Tamenund  stay? 
The  pale-faces  are  masters  of  the  earth,  and  the  time  of  the  red- 
men  has  not  yet  come  again.  My  day  has  been  too  long.  In 
the  morning  I  saw  the  sons  of  Unamis  happy  and  strong;  and 
yet,  before  the  night  has  come,  have  I  lived  to  see  the  last  warrior 
of  the  wise  race  of  the  Mohicans." 


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